CMEA All-State 2025-26
Requirements:
Start: Beginning
End: End of Measure 24
Tempo: Quarter Note = 63
Recommendations:
Use covering fingerings for all throat tones. It will bring the pitch down and add resonance.
All 32nd notes (like measure 11) should be in time, but not rushed. Play them in the style of the piece. Think more expressive and less technical/virtuosic.
Don't be afraid to use a little bit of rubato for expression.
Notes that are marked with both staccatos and slurs (like measures 5 and 6) should be tongued lightly so they are slightly separated, but still retain a legato line.
Always keep notes and phrases moving and blow through the notes.
Mark your breaths and stick to the plan!
CMEA All-State 2025-26
Requirements:
Start: Beginning
End: End of Measure 31
Tempo: Quarter Note = 108
Note: No Repeats
Recommendations:
When playing slowly, don't focus a lot of time of playing super short staccato notes. They will be plenty short at the written tempo.
Keep the embouchure stable and consistent for large leaps (like measure 10).
Be expressive! Plan dynamics and musical gestures and be thoughtful.
If you need to add a breath in a place without a rest, make it sound of purpose instead of desperate. Using rubato and dynamics help to make the breath part of the music.
Don't rush! Think the tempo before you start and practice with the metronome to help prevent this.
NMMEA All-State 2025-26
Requirements:
Play m. 1 - downbeat m. 25
Tempo: eighth note = 100-116
Recommendations:
Use covering fingerings for all throat tones. It will bring the pitch down and add resonance.
All 32nd notes (like measure 12) should be roughly in time, but not rushed. Play them within style of the piece. Think more expressive and less technical/virtuosic.
Don't be afraid to use a little bit of rubato for expression.
Always keep notes and phrases moving and blow through the notes.
Notes that are marked with both staccatos and slurs (like measures 2) should be tongued lightly so they are slightly separated, but still retain a legato line.
Mark your breaths and stick to the plan!
NMMEA All-State 2025-26
Requirements:
Play m. 1-32
Tempo: quarter note = 92-108
Recommendations:
Keep the air stream fast and let the tongue follow the air. This will help keep the articulation light and fast.
Keep the embouchure stable and consistent for large leaps (like measure 9).
Be expressive! Play dynamics and musical gestures and be thoughtful.
If you need to add/take a breath in a place without a rest, make it sound of purpose instead of desperate. Using rubato and dynamics help to make the breath part of the music.
Don't rush! Think the tempo before you start and practice with the metronome to help prevent this.
General Audition Recommendations:
Pick a tempo that allows you to play with consistent musical and technical accuracy. It's much more impressive to play slowly and cleanly than it is to play quickly and sloppy.
Use a metronome and tuner. I recommend the TonalEnergy Tuner & Metronome app.
Don't be afraid to mark up your music. Colored highlighters can be helpful and fun!
Practice for consistency, not occasional success. A good game for this is 3XP (three times perfectly). The rule is: when you can play it three times perfectly in a row, you can move on.
Record yourself and listen back. You'd be surprised what you miss when you are focused on playing.
Take a deep breath and do your best! :)