When are Colorado All-State band auditions?

Colorado CMEA All-State band auditions occur in two stages. Regional auditions happen November 15 – December 20, 2025. Top performers advance to All-State auditions on February 13–15, 2026 in Denver.

What are the Colorado All-State band audition requirements?

Students perform eight major and minor scales, chromatic scale, a lyrical etude, a technical etude, and sight-read material. Scoring: Scales 25%, Lyrical Etude 30%, Technical Etude 30%, Sight-Reading 15%.

How are Colorado All-State band auditions conducted?

Colorado uses live in-person auditions at both regional and All-State levels. You perform alone in a room with judges. You'll play scales, etudes, and sight-read material in a continuous audition lasting 9-12 minutes.

Who can audition for Colorado CMEA All-State band?

High school students in grades 9-12 who are active members of a CMEA-affiliated school's band program, registered by their band director, and assigned to the correct regional audition location are eligible.

Colorado All-State Band Audition Guide 2025–2026 | CMEA

Colorado CMEA

All-State Band Audition Guide

Prepare for Colorado All-State band auditions — Regional pathway: November-February 2025–2026

Key Dates & Deadlines

Regional Auditions:: November 15 – December 20, 2025 (varies by region)
All-State Auditions:: February 13–15, 2026 (Denver)
Format:: In-person live auditions
Organization:: Colorado Music Educators Association (CMEA)
All-State Clinic:: February 16–17, 2026

Eligibility Requirements

To audition for Colorado CMEA All-State Band, you must meet all of the following:

✓Be a high school student (grades 9-12) enrolled in a Colorado school
✓Be an active member of your school's band program
✓Have your band director submit you through the CMEA registration system before the regional audition date
✓Be a student at a CMEA-affiliated school in good standing
✓Attend school in the correct regional assignment for your residence

Scale Requirements

Scales are central to Colorado All-State auditions, accounting for 25% of your total score. Scale mastery requires consistent daily practice.

Required Scales

• Eight major scales (assigned by CMEA, typically C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, B)
• Natural and harmonic minor scales in same keys
• Chromatic scale (full range, sixteenth notes at q=92)
• All at quarter note = 84–96 BPM, depending on instrument

Scoring Breakdown

Scales: 25% • Lyrical Etude: 30% • Technical Etude: 30% • Sight-Reading: 15%

The CMEA publishes official scale requirements on their website. Your band director will provide your specific assigned scales and tempo requirements.

Etude & Solo Requirements

You must perform two contrasting etudes from an approved etude list. Both are required at regional auditions and again if you advance to All-State.

Lyrical Etude

A legit, musical etude that emphasizes long tones, phrasing, and breath control. Counts for 30% of total score.

Technical Etude

A challenging etude requiring fast articulation, range, and technical accuracy. Counts for 30% of total score.

Sight-Reading

You'll sight-read a piece of moderate difficulty provided at audition time. Counts for 15% of total score. Practice reading new material 2-3 times weekly.

In-Person Audition Format

Colorado uses live auditions at both regional and All-State levels. You'll audition in a separate room with a panel of judges who evaluate your technique and musicianship after each session.

Room Environment

You'll audition in a rehearsal space or classroom. Judges sit facing you. Metronome is permitted for scales only.

Performance Sequence

Perform in order: Eight majors, minors, chromatic, lyrical etude, technical etude, sight-reading. Total audition time: 9-12 minutes.

Judge Communication

Judges may instruct you to begin the next section. Stay focused and composed if they stop you between pieces. This is normal.

What to Bring

Bring your etude music, metronome, scale sheet, and a pencil. Arrive 20 minutes early. Dress neatly but not formally.

Preparation Timeline (4–5 Months)

Begin in September to build depth before regional auditions in November–December.

September 2025

Receive etude assignments and scale list from your band director. Begin learning etudes slowly. Start daily scale practice, focusing on tone.

October 2025

Solidify both etudes. Play scales at audition tempo daily. Record yourself weekly to assess intonation. Isolate difficult passages.

November 2025

Prepare for regional auditions. Run full audition sequences 2-3 times weekly. Do mock auditions with your director. Attend your regional audition.

December 2025 – January 2026

If advancing, refine weak areas based on judges' comments. Continue daily scale and etude practice. Build stamina for longer audition sessions.

February 2026

Final polish. Do mock auditions under test conditions. Arrive early for All-State auditions and warm up properly.

Practice Tips for CMEA Success

→Build scale muscle memory — Play all eight major scales daily, same order, same tempo, without stopping in between
→Use a scale sheet as reference during practice — Write down each scale fingerings and remember which flats or sharps are in each key
→Practice minors separately first — Learn natural minor separately from harmonic minor before combining them in audition sequence
→Record full auditions, not isolated pieces — Once weekly, record yourself performing the exact audition order without pausing between sections
→Read sight-reading material from actual method books — Don't rely on past audition examples. Use your method book or download band music from CMEA's resource page
→Notice where you rush in etudes — Record your etudes and listen for tempo inconsistency. Mark those spots and slow practice them
→Build stamina for 12-minute auditions — If you're struggling to keep focused at the end, your practice sessions aren't long enough. Aim for 15-20 minute nonstop practice blocks
→Review judge comments from regional auditions carefully — Judges give specific written feedback. This is your roadmap to improvement for All-State

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