If you happen to walk by the band room during second period, you will probably hear the cacophony of a drummer working on his craft. Senior Nathan Markham has been practicing every day to prepare for All State auditions this Saturday. Markham said, “Consistency is far more important than large chunks [of time].” He’s one of 44 student musicians from the band, orchestra and choir auditioning for All State this weekend.
All State is a yearly festival in which the top musicians from bands, orchestras, and choirs across the state come together to prepare and perform a piece or pieces of music. For musicians in Iowa, this is the pinnacle of high school level musicianship.
The prestigious festival takes place in late November, with two days for students to work on the music as a group and a concert on the final day. Auditions, meanwhile, take place over the course of a day: when students go home, they will know if they were accepted.
Band auditions include memorized scales, a solo excerpt, and excerpts from the piece they will be performing at the festival. Twelve students will be auditioning from the MCHS band, including two-time All-Stater Markham. Markham is the drum captain for the marching band and also participates in jazz band and Riverhawk Rock.
Markham’s not the only one using every day to prepare: choir member Timothy DietrichⅡalso says he practices every day during his free period. After all this work, Dietrich says he’s “feeling really prepared.”
Regardless of if they are accepted or not, this much practice helps students grow as musicians. “The process of auditioning for All-State makes each and every one of the auditioners a better musician,” said choir director Ethan Pruisman. “They become the leaders of the groups and continue to put in a lot of work to make sure themselves and others are progressing and making the best music they can.”
Orchestra director Daniel Thompson agrees: “The amount of dedication required to prepare an audition makes a musician a much stronger member of the ensemble, which improves the ensemble in turn.”
Orchestra auditions are similar to the band’s: scales, solo, excerpts. Four students from the orchestra will be auditioning.
Orchestra member Ambrose Luong has been preparing for this for a long time: “I’ve been practicing every day for an hour for about a year and a half,” he said.
Choir auditions, meanwhile, include parts taken from seven pieces of music that are released at the end of July. Auditioners will sing in quartets, with one singer per voice part. Seven quartets will be auditioning for a total of 28 students across mixed chorus, varsity choir, and concert choir.
Auditioners are feeling a wide range of emotions as the audition date draws near: “I feel nervous about auditions, but well-prepared,” said senior Hannah Jacobsen. Junior Micheal Johnson added, “It helps that we audition as a quartet, we can rely on each other and it gives us comfort going into it as a group of friends.”
When trying out for All State, there’s always a chance something could go wrong. “Many hours of preparation come down to whether or not a mallet slips from your hands,” said Markham. But he – and the 43 other auditioners – are willing to take this risk to help them advance as musicians and students.
Names to Know for Upcoming Auditions
From the Band
Nathan Markham (‘25) plays percussion for the band and participates in jazz band, marching band, and Riverhawk Rock. He’s also a drum major. He’s been accepted into All State twice, once into the band and once into the orchestra.
Seth VandenBerg (‘26) plays french horn in the symphonic and marching bands. He also plays tennis. He was selected as an alternate his freshman year, and was accepted into the festival his sophomore year.
Brock Anderson (‘27) plays the trombone. This is his second year trying out for All State. In addition to band, he also plays tennis and basketball and sings in the choir. “I’m really excited, but also nervous,” he said.
Allison Rodemeyer (‘28) plays trumpet in the marching and jazz bands. She also participates in choir and swimming. “I have never tried out for All State before but I’m excited for the learning experience that comes with it,” she said. For Rodemeyer, director Kramer has been a big help with preparing. “He pushes me to try hard things and brings the best out of me,” she said.
From the Orchestra
Maya Sajadian (‘25) is a cellist who also plays for the tennis team and participates in several clubs at MCHS. She’s also the orchestra president. She’s been preparing for months for her audition. “I began working on my solo and scales close to the end of the school year last year around May. I also started practicing the excerpts when they came out during July,” she said.
Lily Anna Philpott (’26) plays violin in the orchestra. This is her third year trying out for All State. She’s gone to several camps and clinics in preparation for her audition, including the University of Northern Iowa All State Strings Workout several weeks ago, and practices daily to prepare.
Ambrose Luong (‘27) is a violinist who is trying out for the second time. He participates in cross country and swimming at MCHS. He’s been working hard to prepare his audition material. “My biggest help in preparing the music has been my conductor Mr. Thompson and my private instructor Heidi Kahle,” said Luong.
From the Choir
Timothy DietrichⅡ(‘25) is a choir member who participates in concert choir, as well as Chamber Choir and Chorale. He also participates in track and field. He’s been practicing every day to prepare his music and said that, “I’m feeling really prepared.”
Hannah Jacobsen (‘25) is also in concert and chamber choirs and chorale. She’s a drum major for the band as well. For her, the biggest influence on her preparation has been assistant choir director Mr. Jensen. “He helps all of the students through tough love and being honest with how we can improve,” said Jacobsen.
Micheal Johnson (‘26) sings for concert choir as well, and has also been a part of madrigal and show choirs. He also participates in cross country, swimming, soccer and band. He’s excited for auditions: “I’m ready to show all the work I’ve put in and hopefully secure a spot in the all state choir,” he said.
