Welcome to the Orchestra page!

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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 16, 2023
– $20.00 per student
Second Deadline – September 23, 2023
– $45.00 per student
Emergency Deadline – October 15, 2023
– $100.00 per student

Audition Dates

Release Excerpts
September 25 – Posted on the OkMEA website

Post Prelim Cuts
October 15

First Round Audition
October 16-27 – Record First Round on OPUS
October 28 – Judge First Round Auditions

Second Round Audition
December 2 – Final Round Auditions
Live auditions at West Moore HS

December 9 – Weather Contingency Date, Finals only

OPUS Registration Information

Please note that detailed registration directions are located on OPUS or can be downloaded here.

  1. Go to OPUS Event to create a profile
  2. Create an OPUS Profile and link your NAfME membership
  3. Log into OPUS and find the All-State Orchestra First Round event by typing “okmea” in the search bar
  4. Read through the directions on the Event Home
  5. Add your location to the event
  6. Register your students individually, by using the bulk import spreadsheet, or by customizing a Google Form for bulk entires
  7. Once your entries are complete, PRINT YOUR INVOICE
  8. Choose a payment method (credit card, PO, or check) and complete the steps involved
  9. If paying by purchase order or check, you will need to upload a copy of the PO/check to OPUS
  10. Once paid, your entries will read “ready” and will be considered complete.

If paying by check, mail the physical check with your invoice to:
OkMEA
Attn: Orchestra Auditions
PO Box 886
Muskogee, OK 74402

When the office receives your check in the mail, the payment will be posted and your entries will be “ready

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)
#26; Quarter note = 94bpm
*Fingerings and bowings marked are required.

Viola
31 Selected Studies by Fiorillo
Edited by Joesph Vieland
Etude #10; Dotted quarter note = 82bpm
*Fingerings and bowings marked are required.

Cello
170 Foundation Studies, Vol. 2 by Schroeder
Carl Fischer Edition (02470)
#93; Quarter note = 128bpm
*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)
#29; Adagio; Quarter note = 64bpm
Scherzando; Quarter note = 96bpm
*Fingerings and bowings marked are required.

Excerpts

Excerpts will be released on the OkMEA website on September 19. 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.

Am're Ford, All-State Orchestra Chair