Welcome to the Orchestra page!
Click here to access the Orchestra Prelim Scale and Etude Cuts
available on October 13th!
Vendor Information
OkMEA
Attn: Orchestra
PO Box 886
Muskogee, OK, 74402
Click here to download a W9 for your financial office!
Eligibility
Students must be a member in good standing of their high school music organization. They have to attend all rehearsals and performances of their OkMEA All-State organization and abide by the Rules of Conduct. Students must be eligible academically under OSSAA guidelines at the time of auditions and at the time of the festival.
Deadlines and Fees
First Deadline – September 13, 2025
– $20.00 per student
Second Deadline – September 20, 2025
– $45.00 per student
Emergency Deadline – October 12, 2025
– $100.00 per student
Audition Dates
Release Excerpts
September 23 – Excerpts were emailed directly to the directors who will photocopy for the students.
Post Prelim Cuts
October 12
First Round Audition
October 13-24 – Record First Round on OPUS
October 25 – Judge First Round Auditions
Second Round Audition
December 6 – Final Round Auditions
Live auditions at West Moore HS
December 13 – Weather Contingency Date
*Finals only
Audition Material
The string audition material will consist of four parts:
1. Scale
2. Etude
3. Orchestral Excerpts
4. Sight-Reading
Scales
Prepare all major scales, memorized, 3 octaves, slur two quarter notes (quarter note = 90) in the following format: each note is played once ascending and once descending with the top note not repeated. Note: Double Bass will play only two-octave scales. The use or nonuse of vibrato on the scale will not add or subtract points.
Violin, Viola, Cello Example:
Ascending: CDEFGABCDEFGABCDEFGABC
Descending: BAGFEDCBAGFEDCBAGFEDC
Bass Example:
Ascending: CDEFGABCDEFGABC
Descending: BAGFEDCBAGFEDC
Etudes
Violin
42 Studies or Caprices by Kreutzer
Schirmer Edition (Singer)
#14; Quarter note = 85
*Fingerings and bowings marked are required.
Viola
31 Selected Studies by Fiorillo
Edited by Joesph Vieland
#26; Quarter note = 85
Omit “Grave,” begin at “Moderato”
*Fingerings and bowings marked are required.
Cello
170 Foundation Studies, Vol. 2 by Schroeder
Carl Fischer Edition (02470)
#107; Quarter note = 124
*Fingerings and bowings marked are required.
Double Bass
57 Studies in Two Volumes for String Bass, Vol. 1
by Storch-Hrabe
Edited by Zimmerman (International 1034)
#1; Quarter note = 92
Pg 1, no repeats; Pg 2, take repeats
*Fingerings and bowings marked are required.
Excerpts
Excerpts will be released on the OkMEA website on September 23. A prelim excerpt will be identified and the rest will be potential Final Round excerpts.
Sight Reading
Sight-reading is required at the audition. Each student will be given a thirty-second study period, during which they may shadow-bow or finger their instruments, but may not make any noise. Points may be deducted, or the student may be disqualified for excessive finger-tapping.
DIRECTORS: Please note that all directors who have students participating in the auditions are required to be at the audition and either adjudicate, monitor, or assist as needed. If you know of any string specialists new to our state that would be willing to help with the auditions please email the Orchestra Chair.
Haley Hanzel, All-State Orchestra Chair
Email Haley