OMEA All-State Ensembles

Elementary (Grade 5)                         Middle School (Grades 6 - 8)

• Choir                                                                      Band

                                                                                       Treble Choir 

                                                                                       Tenor-Bass Choir

                                                                                       String Orchestra

High School (Grades 9 - 12)

• Jazz Band

• Wind Ensemble (5A & 6A schools)

• Symphonic Band (1A - 4A Schools)

• Tenor Bass Choir

• Treble Choir

• Symphony Orchestra

Jump To:

• All-State At-A-Glance

• All-State Dates & Deadlines ***New Teacher Conference Registration Deadline***

• Conductor Bios and Ensemble Repertoire Lists

• Creating an Account in OpusEvent and Linking Your NAfME/OMEA Membership

• Elementary All-State Information

• High School All-State Information

• High School Band Audition FAQ

• Middle School All-State Information

• OMEA District Map

• OMEA Policies and Procedures - (Jump to Section 12 (D) for All-State policies)

• Opus Website Link to Submit All-State Applications & Auditions/Nominations

• Past OMEA All-State Repertoire Lists

• Student Application Packet

• What is All-State? (Explanation of our event)

WHAT IS ALL-STATE?

• All-State is an honor music ensemble program run by the Oregon Music Education Association (OMEA). This is an extremely rewarding experience for students to gather with fellow motivated student musicians from around Oregon and have the privilege to rehearse and perform with renowned guest conductors. 

• In order to apply for a spot, each ensemble, excluding our Elementary Honor Choir, requires an audition. All students must submit an application through OpusEvent.com along with their audition by October 1^st. If selected, families and the students’ teacher will be notified via email, and families or schools can complete the registration process online by November 8, with the deadline for payment on December 6^th. 

• After the registration process is complete, folders with sheet music and more information regarding the hotel, rehearsals, and the performance are mailed to the students’ music teacher before winter break. Students are expected to learn their music on their own in advance of the event. Families are invited to come watch them perform. Students are required to stay in a hotel in Eugene, and room with three other All-State students. 

How to Audition

• Your student must work with their music teacher to complete the recordings (separate files for each required excerpt). The cost to submit an audition for high school and middle school students is $15.00 and $5.00 for elementary nominations (no audition required for elementary).

• Teachers must be current members of NAfME/OMEA to submit applications/nominations and auditions through OpusEvent.com

When do we find out if they’ve been selected? 

• Teachers and families are notified of results by October 19 via the email address entered into OpusEvent.com (Teachers, be sure to carefully type in parent/guardian emails, if there's anything incorrect about the email address, it will not be sent. Examples: extra space in front of or at the end of an email address, missing periods, etc.) 

If my student is selected, does it cost money to participate?

• Yes, if your student is selected, you would need to complete their registration online and pay a registration fee. High School: $334.00, Middle School: $241.00, and Elementary: $192.00

  • Parents or teachers/schools can complete this step, be sure to communicate how you wish to handle this part of the process with each other

Why does it cost money?

• This registration fee covers the cost of hotel lodging in Eugene, food during the students' stay, a guest conductor, sheet music, and the rehearsal and performance space rentals. 

How does my student get to and from Eugene for the event?

• Parents/Guardians must supply or arrange transportation to and from Eugene. Some schools might provide transportation to the event. (Please note this is not an OSAA/school sanctioned event. Our event is not re-scheduled if there’s inclement weather, and no refunds are given)

Does their concert performance cost money to see?

• Yes, tickets are sold online. Teachers/OMEA members must also register for the state conference, which coincides with the All-State event. Included in teachers' conference registration are concert tickets. For parents and guardians, they must purchase tickets for the concerts online through SeatYourself.com.

• Ticket prices are: High School: $15.00 (17 & under $3.00), Middle School: $10.00 (17 & under $2.00), and Elementary Choir $5.00 (17 & under $1.00) (High School Jazz Band concert is free)

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OMEA Elementary All-State

* Elementary Honor Choir Dates: Friday, January 15 – Saturday, January 16, 2021

* Elementary Choir Guest Conductor: 

* Rehearsals will be held at the Valley River Inn and the performance will be held at the First Baptist Church in Eugene

• Elementary Choir is for 5th grade students only

• There is no audition for the elementary choir - simply a nomination by the teacher. Teachers nominate only students with "unchanged treble voices" 

• You may nominate up to 15 students per school, but we cannot guarantee all will be placed. When you complete your students' applications through Opus, you must designate a ranking/order for your students to indicate your first, second, etc. nominations.

- Click here for the All-State application and information letter. Print and send home with students/families to fill out and sign. Teachers/OMEA members complete the process online through OpusEvent.com, and payment must be submitted via credit card by the teacher/school. 

- Application fee is $5.00 (paid via credit card only)

- Application Fee Deadline is October 1st by 11:59:59 PM

- All-State Registration Fee: $192.00 (due after a student is selected and notified --> November 13, 2020) paid via credit card only

- All students and their families must agree that, if selected, they will commit to the event, be able to pay the registration fee by the November 13 deadline, and are aware that all students must stay at the hotel overnight.

- Parents will be allowed access to Opus to complete the Registration and payment process (Teachers can choose to complete this step if preferred) 

- All participants will room with 3 other ensemble members at the Valley River Inn during the event

- Meals will be provided Friday afternoon through Saturday morning

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OMEA Middle School All-State

Middle School All-State Dates: Thursday, January 14 - Friday, January 15, 2021

Middle school ensembles are open to students in grades 6, 7, and 8th. 

- Click here for the All-State application and information letter. Print and send home with students/families to fill out and sign. Teachers/OMEA members complete the process online through OpusEvent.com, and payment must be submitted via credit card by the teacher/school. 

- OMEA All-State Audition/Application fee per student is $15 paid via credit card by October 1st 11:59:59 PM

-The fee must be paid first before audition files can be uploaded.

- Students that apply and audition, must be fully prepared to participate in the event and pay the fee by November 13.

-All-State Registration Fee: $241.00 (due after students have been selected & notified --> November 13, 2020) Paid via credit card only 

- Parents will be allowed access to Opus to complete the Registration and payment process (Teachers can choose to complete this step if preferred) 

- All participants must room with 3 other ensemble members at the Graduate Hotel Eugene during the event.

- Meals are provided from Thursday evening through Friday afternoon.

- Below are the specific audition requirements for each middle school ensemble.

- Teachers and students may not electronically or otherwise enhance any recordings. By submitting the audition materials online, the director attests that these conditions were met and agrees to adhere to all deadlines set by OMEA and understands that all deadlines are final.  

-Statewide representation is still our number one priority. At least one student from each school will be selected, provided there is one who can successfully perform the audition material.

OMEA Middle School All-State Band

2021 All State Middle School Band Guest Conductor: 

Rehearsals and the performance will be held at First Baptist Church in Eugene, Oregon

Click Here for Middle School Band Audition Materials 

What is the process for screening band auditions and applications, and what is the process for placing them in the final group?

OMEA Middle School All-State String Orchestra

2021 All State Middle School Orchestra Guest Conductor: 

Rehearsals and the performance will be held at the First Baptist Church in Eugene, Oregon

Click Here for Middle School Orchestra Audition Materials ***Please note that these audition materials are new for 2021***

Recording Directions:

Only record the student playing by themselves (no metronome or accompaniment)

Do not speak the name of the student, teacher or school

The student must perform each exercise with the correct pitch, rhythms, quality tone, articulations, steady tempo (see tempo markings on each exercise).

Record THREE separate recording files, one for each track (scale, lyrical etude & technical etude)

When submitting auditions for All-State, please be sure to submit multiple students given they are able to proficiently play the audition material.

• At least 5 would be ideal. This allows us to better insure a well balanced instrumentation for the ensemble. In the past it has not been uncommon to select a director's 7th or 8th choice in order to fill out a section. This is particularly true for large sections that are less well represented.

• Additionally, It can be very challenging to balance a group when multiple directors have only submitted one student, especially if that one student is for a section that tends to be small.

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OMEA Middle School Treble and Tenor Bass Choirs

Rehearsals held at First Christian Church and the performance held at The First United Methodist Church

2021 All-State Treble Middle School Choir Conductor: 

2021 All-State Tenor-Bass Middle School Choir Conductor: 

Middle School Choir Audition Requirements

Recording Directions:

Only record the student singing (no names of student or teacher)

The teacher may play the scale on the piano BEFORE the student sings, but NOT while the student sings (the student will repeat a cappella)

Record each scale on a separate file (one file for each scale)

         Sing the scales on Solfege, Numbers, or a Neutral Syllable (doo, la, etc.)

The students' application will be disqualified If the audition is incomplete

Examples:

• only one scale is uploaded

• the student only sings the scale ascending not descending or vice versa

• the student sings along with the piano or the teacher

Singe scales using Solfege, Numbers, or a Neutral Syllable (doo, la, etc.)

Bass: C-G (begin on C below middle C) and F-C (begin on F below middle C)            

Tenor: E-B (begin on E below middle C) and A-E (begin on A below middle C)               

Alto: Bb-F (begin on Bb below middle C) and A-E (begin on A above middle C)        

Soprano: E-B (begin on E above middle C) and C-G (begin on C one octave above middle C)

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OMEA High School All-State

* OMEA All-State High School Dates (excluding Jazz Band): Friday, January 15 - Sunday, January 17, 2021 in Eugene, Oregon

* OMEA All-State High School Jazz Band Dates: Thursday, January 14 - Saturday, January 16, 2021 in Eugene, Oregon

- High School ensembles are open to students grades 9 - 12

- Click here for the All-State application and information letter. Print and send home with students/families to fill out and sign. Teachers/OMEA members complete the process online through OpusEvent.com, and payment must be submitted via credit card by the teacher/school. 

- OMEA All-State Audition/Application fee per student is $15.00 paid via credit card by  October 1st 11:59:59 PM - The fee must be paid first before audition files can be uploaded.

- Students that apply and audition, must be fully prepared to participate in the event.

- All-State Registration Fee: $334.00 (due after a student is selected ---> Deadline is November 13, 2020) paid via credit card only (Parents will be allowed access to Opus to complete the Registration and payment process)

- All band and orchestra students will stay at the Graduate Eugene Hotel and room with 3 other ensemble members, and be bussed to their rehearsal and concert venues.

- All choir students will stay at the Valley River Inn and room with 3 other ensemble members, and be bussed to their rehearsal and concert venue.

- Meals are provided from Friday evening through Sunday afternoon.

Recording Directions:

Below are the specific audition requirements for each high school ensemble

Only record the student performing by themselves (no metronome) *see exceptions for Jazz Band and Choir

Do not speak the name of the student, teacher or school

The student must perform each exercise with the correct pitch, rhythms, quality tone, articulations, steady tempo (see tempo markings on each exercise).

Each audition track should be a separate audio file. (mp3, wav, etc.)

Teachers and students may not electronically or otherwise enhance any recordings. By submitting the audition materials online, the director attests that these conditions were met and agrees to adhere to all deadlines set by OMEA and understands that all deadlines are final.  

High School Jazz Band

All-State Jazz Band Conductor: 

The Jazz Band will rehearse at the Lane Events Center on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and perform at The Hult Center in the Soreng Theater on Saturday.

Audition Materials for OMEA All-State Jazz Band

Jazz Band Audition Audio Files 

 OMEA Full Recording Accompaniment                     OMEA Bass/Drums Recording Accompaniment

 OMEA Piano/Drums Recording Accompaniment     OMEA Piano/Bass Recording Accompaniment

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High School Wind Ensemble (5A & 6A schools)

OMEA All-State Conductor: Rebecca Phillips

Wind Ensemble will rehearse at the University of Oregon School of Music building on Friday and Saturday, and perform at the First Baptist Church in Eugene on Sunday.

Click here for the Wind Ensemble audition materials

All students from 5A and 6A schools must use these audition materials (they may not use the materials for the Symphonic Band)

High School Symphonic Band (1A - 4A Schools)

OMEA All-State Symphonic Band Conductor:

Symphonic Band Rehearsals will be held at Lane Events Center Friday and Saturday.

The Symphonic Band concert will be held at the First Baptist Church on Sunday.

Click here for the Symphonic Band Audition Materials

Click here - Conductor Score 

These materials are for admittance into the OMEA Symphonic Band ONLY. These audition materials are for students from school with an OSAA classification of 1A – 4A. Students from 5A and 6A high schools may not use these materials at all. (They must use the Wind Ensemble materials instead)     

1A - 4A School List

One of OMEA’s goals is to increase the opportunities for students from smaller schools to participate in an All-State experience. 5A-6A students will be selected to fill out the band after all of the small school students who met the minimum audition scores are accepted into the Symphonic Band.

While completing applications in Opus, be sure to mark your OSAA classification. 

We must collect the OSAA school classification for each applicant.  While not directly applicable to most ensembles, it IS needed to correctly popular the symphonic band.  It also provides important statistical data for tracking levels of participation from across the state.  This can help us further tailor our services to the needs and realities of our schools and students.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band

Who can submit Symphonic Band materials?

     Only students from 1A – 4A schools will be allowed to submit auditions using the small schools material

Who can submit Wind Ensemble materials?

     Students from 5A and 6A schools MUST submit using the Wind Ensemble/Orchestra material.  

Auditions submitted using the small schools material will only be considered for the Symphonic Band.  

If small schools students wish to submit using the Wind Ensemble/Orchestra material, they are welcome to do so, however, students from small schools can only submit one band audition.  

All students that submit using the Wind Ensemble/Orchestra material that are not selected for the Orchestra or Wind Ensemble, will be considered for positions in the Symphonic band.

How are students placed within Wind Ensemble and the Orchestra?

Acceptance and placement into an ensemble will be purely based on rankings from the screening process and on the placement formula outlined below.  

The Orchestral wind seats are filled with the 1^st, 3^rd, 5^th, and 7^th ranked players from the screening process, and ranks 2, 4, 6, 8 in the Wind Ensemble.

Once the Orchestra seats are filled, all remaining Wind Ensemble seats are filled in rank order from the screening process.

The percussion seats in the Orchestra will first be filled with the #1 Timpanist and #1 Snare.  Remaining percussion seats will depend on the literature and will be filled in rank order.

The number of wind seats in the orchestra sections will be determined by the needs of the literature.

How are students placed between Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band?

The approximate size of the Wind Ensemble is 90 players and the Symphonic Band is 150, depending upon the pool of applicants and the needs of the literature.

Seating placement within the symphonic band will integrate the unplaced Wind Ensemble auditionees with the small school’s auditionees.  

The exact formula for this integration may vary from year to year or from section to section based on the auditioning pool.

The goal of the symphonic band is to include as many qualified small school’s students as possible in the all-state experience, every effort is made to incorporate these students into every part, in every section.

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High School Orchestra

OMEA High School All-State Orchestra Conductor: Dr. Thomas Taylor Dickey

The orchestra rehearsals will be held in at the University of Oregon music building on Friday and Saturday, and the performance will take place at the First Baptist Church in Eugene, Oregon on Sunday, January 17, 2021.

Click Here for the OMEA High School Orchestra Audition Materials

Click Here for the Annotated OMEA High School Orchestra Audition Materials

Here is a link to an additional resource for the violin audition materials provided by Dr. Tomas Cotik Assistant Professor of Violin in the School of Music & Theater at Portland State University.

A note from Dr. Cotik: "Here are video recordings of all of the excerpts required for the All-State violin auditions. To facilitate the preparation of the excerpts, I have also included the scores with my fingerings and bowings as well as the full orchestral score, a brief introduction about each piece, and advice on solving the typical problems that I have seen students confront in terms of rhythm, bow stroke, articulation, dynamics, vibrato, intonation and phrasing. These articles cannot replace the necessity of slow, mindful practice or the weekly guidance of a teacher. Regardless, I couldn’t resist putting together some resources to complement and help students and teachers as they prepare the All-State audition excerpts."   

High School Choirs: Treble & Tenor-Bass

OMEA All-State Treble Choir Conductor:

OMEA All-State Tenor-Bass Choir Conductor: 

Choir rehearsals will be held at the University of Oregon School of Music, and performances will take place at the First United Methodist Church in Eugene, Oregon on Sunday, January 17, 2021.

Click here for audition information & Materials        

Directions on how the Chorale recording works in Opus

Chorale 61 - Full Mix Practice Recording

Chorale 61 - Bass Practice Recording                       Chorale 61 - Tenor Practice Recording

Chorale 61 - Alto Practice Recording                         Chorale 61 - Soprano Practice Recording

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OMEA All-State Policies and Procedures 

Click here to view the full Policies and Procedures document

Article 12 All-State

SECTION (12) A. TEACHER MEMBERSHIP AND CONFERENCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED(5/22/04)

Teachers of students of all ages in OMEA honor groups shall be required to register for the full conference, pay in full, and be current NAfME/OMEA members. Teachers' conference registration must be completed in conjunction with their All-State students' registration. (4/2020) If found to be in violation, that school's specific discipline (i.e., band, orchestra, choir) will be sanctioned from participating in honor groups until the bill is paid in full. 

* For more on our policies and procedures for All-State and auditions, click on the link above to view the full document. In the Table of Contents, select All-State to jump to Section 12.

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