Posted by David on October 02, 2003 at 17:42:17:
In Reply to: Re: Differences in All-State Tryouts by Stat posted by Dean on October 02, 2003 at 17:22:28:
For those trying out in Texas, it is possible to travel over 500 miles one way just to get to the All-State performance site.
While it may not seem fair to have regional, area, and state auditions, it really is the only way with the massive numbers of students in Texas. The exercises tend to be harder for students in this state as well (flame away!). The intent is to have 1 exercise that everyone can play, 1 exercise that is written in an odd fashion (eighth note or sixteenth note gets the beat), and 1 exercise that only the best in the state can master (any key goes for the exercises).
An example of the massive numbers of musical students is this: for solo and ensemble for band, orchestra, and choir each year there are over 73,000 state-wide that perform at the area competitions. From that number, only about 5,000 qualify for the all-state competition in June held at the University of Texas - Austin. Luckily only about 2,500 to 3,000 show up for the competition. From that number about 150 - 160 are chosen as outstanding performers. If a student is chosen as an outstanding performer he is truly outstanding. (My son was chosen one year on violin - what a thrill. He wasn't nearly as thrilled as mom and dad were.)