All-State Info & FAQ

What is All-State?

The Texas Music Educators Association hosts the annual All-State Choir audition process. Students in grades 9-12 compete against singers from across the state on their respective voice part vying for a spot in one of their three choirs: Texas All-State Mixed Choir, Texas All-State Treble Choir, or the Texas All-State Men’s Choir. The audition process begins in September with a series of auditions, the final audition occurring the first at the start of January.

Who should audition?

All choir students in grades 9 - 12 are eligible! Chorale students should participate, and are STRONGLY encouraged to participate, as it will further build their musicianship. Participation for other choir members will be a positive consideration in a student’s choir placement for the next year.

What happens if a student make All-State Choir?

Students who earn the distinction of being an All-State Choir member spend three days rehearsing and developing their vocal skills at the TMEA Conference in February in San Antonio. The week culminates in a performance of each of the choirs. The district pays for travel and hotel to San Antonio, and their absences are excused.

Is it worth the time and effort?

First off, it doesn’t take that much time and effort. Consistent, daily practice is the key to success, and Yes, it is very much worth it, regardless of your audition results! Even if a student does not make the first audition, the lessons learned and the vocal growth that will occur will improve the individual singer. Students that make the Region choir will enjoy the experience of working with an excellent clinician and singing with talented and music loving students from around the area. Students that make the All-State choir will be highly recognized and also get to work with a renowned All-State clinician, meeting likeminded and talented students from across the State, at the largest music convention in the world! This awesome concert is attended by every choir director in the State of Texas, and, best of all, this is paid for by the district.

Parents, don’t forget that universities recruit All-State performers with scholarships, including some scholarships for non-music majors. Yes, it is worth the time and effort to participate!

What is the cost?

• There is a $20 registration fee to participate, due before September 3rd

• Students must purchase their own music through JWPepper.com (link to music), or at Pender’s Music in Denton. Ask for a student packet of All-State music for large schools, for your student’s part (treble or tenor/bass). The cost is $20 +tax.

* If a student would like to participate, but financial circumstances don't allow for it, please let Mr. Hunt or Mrs. Lemmons know. We would like to help everyone who wants to prepare for All-State to be able to do so!

Do I have a chance to make it?

It is very difficult to make the All-State choir. Some 70,000 Texas high school students begin the audition process for a final 1,810 spots. Although the odds seem great, Northwest ISD has a good history of placing students in the All-State and All-Region choirs. All-Region and the new 9/10 All-Region choirs are great honor as well and worthy goals especially for any singer in the process.

What will the audition consist of?

The audition format involves singing parts of each of the pieces, and focuses on musicality and healthy vocal technique. The student is only known by a randomly assigned badge number, and sings behind a curtain, so it is double blind.

• • • • • • Phase 1 of auditions for our Region will be September 25 at Lewisville High School. Bus transport will be provided by the school to students

          • Phase 2 of auditions for our Region will be October 18 (for treble choir) and 19 (for tenor/bass choir) at Flower Mound High School.

          • Students who make Region choir, will have a very special clinic and performance on November 6th.

How do I prepare?

Mr. Hunt and Ms. Lemmons will work hard to help students to be successful in this endeavor. We have short, rotating sectional practices before and after school. These practices will help students learn their music and feel confident in their audition, by providing many short practice opportunities. Mr. Hunt and Ms. Lemmons will be running separate breakout sessions for each part, 4 times a week, as follows:

School Sectional Practices

Other ways to prepare for the audition process are: at-home practice using the recorded part tracks (available to all participating students on our NHS All-State Google Classroom), private voice lessons, and/or attending an All-State preparation camp. These cost around $25 and are an all-day Saturday clinic (usually offered throughout the summer and occasionally in the early fall), where students go through a variety of fun and helpful activities to rehearse their music.

* The next (and last?) camp that we have been notified of is September 11, at UT Arlington.

If you are interested, please visit https://www.allstatechoircamp.org/one-last-look for info.

The level and complexity of the All-State music requires a high degree of focus in order to master. Students are expected to know their music enough to represent NHS well. Unprepared students will not be allowed to audition, at Mr. Hunt’s or Ms. Lemmon's discretion.

How do I sign-up?

Talk with Mr. Hunt and visit our class website at www.northwestchoir.com. We will have a sign-up information linked there!

I have more questions… Contact Mr. Hunt and we’ll talk about it and make sure that All-State auditions are right for you. This is a wonderful experience if approached with the right attitude and work ethic. Email: john.hunt@nisdtx.org