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CMEA/CODA All State Honors Orchestra


Auditions - California Association for Music
Information and materials are now available for the 2008-09 All-state orchestras.

These are two different audition orchestras made up of high school musicians (grades 9 to 12)  from all over the state that meet once a year to prepare a concert.  It is a challenge and an honor to try out for and be invited to play with these orchestras.  It is also a chance for you to meet, work, and make friends with musicians who are as serious about music as you are.  Last year the secondary orchestra program had 8 students who were accepted to these orchestras.

Colleges and universityies view experience in one of these statewide orchestras is viewed very favorably for admissions and scholarships, not just to show a high level of musical ability, but as a demonstration that the individual has the character to challenge him/herself and to succeed at a high level in a particular activity.

Audition is by submitted recording only (you don't have to show up in person for this initial step).  You can record your audition in the comfort of your own home if you have the appropriate equipment.  It is highly recommended that you use digital recording tools -- see the bottom of http://groups.dcn.org/dhs-orchestras/cmea-coda-all-state-honors-orchestra for more information.

The time commitment is whatever it takes for you to prepare the audition material (typically designated scales and a page of orchestral excerpts for strings, scales and a solo piece for other instruments) and to show up for one 2-3 day weekend if you succeed.  There is no commitment to show up for rehearsal or performance beyond the one weekend.

If you don't think that you are a strong musician compared to others in the orchestra, please consider that the Davis orchestra program is one of the strongest programs in the state.  A healthy majority of Davis orchestra members, with adequate preparation, could succeed in these auditions.

There are two all-state orchestra programs and two sets of deadlines.  You may audition for one or both orchestras.  If you read the online materials carefully, you will note that you can use the very same audition material and recording to try out for both orchestras, if you want.
  • The first audition deadline is by October 6 to be in the CODA State Honors Orchestra that will rehearse and perform December 5-6 at San Jose State University.  This program is generally the easier of the two to get into, as there are multiple orchestras available.
  • The second audition deadline is December 1 to be in the CMEA All-State Orchestra that will rehearse and perform March 12-14 in Ontario in S. California.  This orchestra is a little tougher to get into, but has a little higher profile than the Honors Orchestra.
If you are interested, please consult with your private teacher and/or Mr. Moreno or Mr. Brucker about preparing your audition materials.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me.  I will be collecting audition recordings and forms roughly a week before each deadline.

Hiram Jackson
753-4814


Use Your Computer to Record Your Audition Music

You can use your computer to record your audition by plugging a microphone into your computer and using an audio editing program.  One freely available music editor is  Audacity  (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/). 
Depending on the quality of the microphone, recording on the computer can create recordings that are superior to those done with tape recorders.  The resulting MP3 files can be stored on your computer or burned to CDs

2008 CMEA/CODA All State Honors Orchestra


Saturday, March 15, at the Sacramento Convention Center Concert Hall, the following students represented Davis High School in the 2008 California All-State Honors Orchestra Concert, sponsored by the California Music Educators Association:

Eunah Cho, Violin I and Concert Master

David Looi, Harp

Hannah May, Bass

Amy McFarland, Viola

Rachel McFarland, English Horn

Shanti Nachtergaele, Bass

Jesse Simons, Viola

All of these students are sophomores or juniors (no seniors!).

Eunah Cho earned the position of concert master (first chair) of the All-State orchestra.  Shanti and Hannah earned 2nd and 4th spots on bass, respectively.  Amy earned 3th chair and  Jesse earned 4th chair in the viola section.  Rachel earned 3rd chair oboe,  Rachel playing English Horn and David on harp were the only students chosen for those instruments.


In all 138 students from grades 9 to 12 from all over California performed in the orchestra.  The students from Davis High School represented the largest contingent among Sacramento area high schools. 

The performance was simply Fantastic! Particularly when you consider that they only had two days together as an orchestra.  You can hear each of the pieces performed by clicking on them in the program below

Program

1. "Jupiter" from The Planets by Gustav Holst

2. Nimrod form the Enigma Variations by Edward Elgar

3. Finale from Symphony No. 4 by Peter Tchaikovsky

Please join us in celebrating the success of our students at this concert!
This site provided with the assistance of the Davis Community Network.