Learning about the All-State audition process

By Jori W.

Being accepted into the Iowa All-State Chorus is a high honor and requires a lot of dedication, not only for the process beforehand but also on the day of auditions. Roland-Story participates at the Indianola High School center. It is a long all-day process filled with excitement, nerves, laughter, and focus. Participants go through many different stages on the day of auditions, all leading up to one goal.

On the morning of the auditions, those auditioning for All-State meet at the high school for an optional yoga session at 5:20 a.m. After, there is a group breakfast and warmups. Each group auditioning--whether it be a quartet, group of three, or two--warm up and mark the audition cuts. Audition cuts are the measures people sing for the audition, which are sent out at 5 a.m. The measures people sing are sent out that day so as not to give anyone an unfair advantage. The bus ride to Indianola is about an hour long, in which students are not allowed to sleep to avoid losing their voices. 

Upon arrival, participants either get ready for their audition (which may be earlier than others) while those with a later audition time relax. Once you go into your audition, groups introduce themselves one by one stating their name and the voice part they will be singing. The initial audition is in front of one judge. There are five centers all with different judges. Judges will ask the group to sing all of the song cuts in the order that was listed. After the first audition, groups go back to the gym with their belongings and then begin the waiting process.

Recalls are announced after a short deciphering break where the judges discuss who went straight through and who they would like to hear again. The recall process is where an individual goes back into a room and sings different cuts from the same songs but alone this time and in front of four judges. Recalls normally take a very long time considering lots of people are asked to sing again. After everyone who was recalled has gone through basically a second audition, the list of who got recalled or not is posted in the gym where everyone is patiently waiting.

This year, first came the altos list. Then with forty minutes to an hour in between each list posting, all of the names of those who were accepted are out. Upon acceptance, those who got in go and get the acceptance handbook which is in a room with all the section's books. After the long day has ended, students get back on the bus proud knowing that everyone tried their best and gave it their all. All of those who participated showed great determination and musicality. No matter the outcome, everyone should be very proud of themselves.

Location: 1304 E 1st Ave, Indianola, IA 50125, USA

Popular posts from this blog

Back in the Swing of Things: The Return of Roland-Story’s Jazz Band

By Mason S. The Roland-Story Jazz Band is gearing up for a year of swinging songs, soulful solos, and jaw-dropping performances. After placing 3rd last year at the Iowa Jazz Championships, this year's band has big shoes to fill, especially to keep the rich musical tradition alive and prove that they are one of the top ensembles in the entire state. Students have been working hard to perfect their musical selections, from big-band Jazz Standards to modern funk hits. Lead trombone player Bradey Haberl said, “I think this year's music is some of the best I’ve ever played. It's definitely my favorite by far, but it is also by far the most difficult music we have ever played. This increased difficulty in music is not without reason. The rhythm section currently comprises all returning players: Aubrey Britten on bass, Cael Vermeer on piano, Mason Schnurstein on guitar, with Ella Murphy and Eli Van Hove both on percussion. The rhythm section is the glue that keeps the band togethe...
Read more

Roland-Story at The Iowa Jazz Championships

By Bradey H. On April 2nd, the Roland-Story Jazz Band played at the Scheman Building in Ames for the annual Iowa Jazz Championships. After placing first at the SCIBA (South Central Iowa Band Association) Jazz Festival to qualify for the championships, the band continued participating in contests and practicing four times a week to improve for this performance. Just a few weeks earlier, the band had clinics with retired Southeast Polk band director Ted Hagan and Drake jazz professor Bob Meunier. Using the advice from these two experts, the band finished polishing the four pieces they were going to play for the championships. The songs to be performed were “Hipper by the Dozen” by Al Horney, “Chicken Scratch” by Kris Berg, “Sagebrush” by Annie Booth, and “Hit the Bricks” by Gordon Goodwin. The band had only performed “Sagebrush” once before, so a majority of the practice time was devoted to it. In the final days leading up to the event, the band’s director, Kevin Masemann, made the final...
Read more

The Road to State

By Kelsey J. We had been preparing for this one day for months. State came and went for the Roland-Story Jazz band. But it was the preparation leading up to it that mattered the most. The Roland-Story Jazz Band was set to compete on April 8th at 2:45 pm. The two weeks leading up to it were very stressful and filled with tons of practice. Between sectionals, full band practices, and clinics we were booked tight.  To be able to become better, you have to seek the help of the very best along the way. The Roland-Story Jazz band’s first clinic was with Bob Neunier. He came and listened to the band on March 31st. Bob is the Professor of Percussion & Director of Bands at Drake University, where he is the conductor of the wind symphony and director of percussion studies. The kids brought him in to help give tips and advice to the band. With his elite skill set, he helped to lock in the rhythm with the rest of the band. He gave new ideas and insights on how we could take our band from g...
Read more