All State
Every year in Iowa, the Iowa High School Music Association releases 5 different sets of excerpts for choir, orchestra, and band. The excerpts are sent out in August, and the ones who want to audition practice until their audition in October. Those who participate in All State prepare a solo, scales, and the 5 excerpts. Those who get in attend the All State Festival and perform the pieces the excerpts come from. I have done All State every year of my high school career, and my final Cello audition is this Saturday. I would like to describe by experience, techniques, and attitude that I go into All State to give it my all.
In my freshman year, I didn’t exactly get in All State. I was auditioning with a tough group of cellos, and ended up getting Alternate cello. At first I was upset, but I then became determined to make it the following year. The next year, I got ahead and practice the excerpts as much as I could. The hard work paid off and I got in both my sophomore year and my junior year.
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My cello teacher and I have many techniques that help learn the excerpts. First, we read through them slowly, figuring out all of the notes. When we have the notes learned, we look back at the small details, such as crescendos, markings, etc… After, we work on getting the excerpts up to speed and focusing on tone. Finally, after using these techniques, the excerpts are where they need in order to audition.
For my auditions, I always go into them with a positive and confident attitude. I know that I have worked on my excerpts and solo as much as I could’ve, and that I am ultimately prepared. Before my audition, I practice what I have prepared, and eat a banana for anxiety. I sometimes watch a movie while I wait for my audition time, and try to keep calm. During the audition, it’s always good to tune and make sure your strings are ready. I usually pat my hands on my legs just in case they're a little shaky, take a deep breath, and begin.
Ultimately, All State has been a learning experience. I have learned techniques to help with my anxiety, to prepare the excerpts properly, and to have a positive attitude. Although All State can be a source of stress, I have found that it is always worth it in the end when the feelings of accomplishment and pride come with it.
