Key Dates & Event
- Registration Deadline:
- February 15, 2026
- Event Dates:
- May 1–3, 2026
- Registration:
- NC Bandmasters website
North Carolina Bandmasters
All-State Band Audition Guide
Prepare for North Carolina All-State band auditions — Registration deadline: February 15, 2026 | Event: May 1-3, 2026
Audition Levels by Grade
North Carolina All-State auditions are organized by grade level. Each level has specific scale ranges and solo requirements. Check the NC Bandmasters website for detailed requirements for your grade and instrument.
Grades 9-10
Ending B solos are used for All-State auditions
Grades 11-12
Advanced solo and scale requirements
Scale & Solo Requirements
All wind, brass, and percussion instruments have specific scale requirements. Download the scale sheets from the NC Bandmasters website for your grade and instrument.
Woodwinds, Brass & Percussion
Required scales (major, minor, chromatic) with specified ranges for your grade level.
Solos
Solo selections vary by instrument and grade. Grades 9-10 use Ending B materials. Consult the official sheet for your specific solo assignment.
Percussion Note
Percussionists on snare and timpani have additional technical requirements and do NOT perform scales. Timpani includes tuning by ear.
For complete audition requirements and scale sheets for your instrument, visit the NC Bandmasters Audition Requirements page.
Registration & Audition Format
Auditions are typically held in-person at designated regional sites. Check the NC Bandmasters website for your region's audition location and schedule. All students must register by February 15, 2026.
Preparation Strategy (3 Months Out)
The May 1-3 event gives you time to build mastery. Focus on consistent, targeted practice:
Now – Mid-March
Learn all required scales. Practice daily at comfortable tempo.
Mid-March – April 1
Isolate weak areas. 80% of practice on difficult scales and passages.
April 1 – April 20
Play scales at audition tempo. Record yourself 2-3x weekly.
April 21 – May 1
Light prep. Confidence-building runs. Focus on sleep and recovery.
May 1-3
Audition week. Nail your first note. You've prepared — show them.
Practice Tips for All-State Success
- →Master the full scale range for your grade — know every note in the required range
- →Practice scales in random order — prevents muscle memory from masking real improvement
- →Slow work is required — practice 20 BPM below audition tempo to lock in accuracy
- →Record yourself weekly — playback reveals pitch issues your ears miss after each session
- →Warm up with long tones, not scales — save your fresh embouchure for audition work
- →Audition day: play your worst scale first, when your mind is sharpest
- →Sleep 8 hours the week before — embouchure strength and mental clarity depend on it
- →Practice the audition ritual — same warmup, same order, same mindset every time
About the All-State Event
Students selected through auditions in January/February attend the statewide All-State Band event May 1-3. This is a leadership opportunity where the top band students from across North Carolina rehearse and perform together. Many students use this as a springboard for recognition, music scholarships, and connections with music educators statewide.
Track Progress Over Three Months
With May auditions, you have time to see real progress. Virtunity scores your scales after each session and tracks improvement week to week — pitch accuracy, rhythm precision, and timing consistency. Watch the trend line going up as you prepare.
Get startedBuilt for all 10 band instruments. $15 to download.