Six students successfully auditioned to become members of the Missouri All-State Ensembles along with 62 other students accepted from across the state. Playing for the ensemble lasted from Jan. 24-27, where they participated in multiple rehearsals before performing on the last day at the Missouri Music Educators Association convention at the Margaritaville Lake of the Ozarks Resort at Osage Beach, Mo.
The ensemble is made up of top musicians in the state and they meet once a year. They are expected to be prepared and able to perform after the first three days. After a blind audition with three excerpts and two scales, students compete with others from across the state.
Seniors Rachel Chung and Shrey Vedantham, sophomores Tyler He and Katherine Nguyen and freshman Zoe Baldwin were accepted into the ensembles. Freshman Will Liu was accepted into the ensemble as a part of the First Violins.
“I didn’t think much of it at first, but it’s pretty difficult to get in,” Liu said. “The [three excerpts and two scales] are also very difficult too. I feel pretty good to be accepted since it’s very prestigious.”
Auditioning for the All-State Ensembles is competitive given its appeal as Missouri’s top youth music ensemble and the competition between every individual player like Liu and the school orchestra program. Students auditioning often engage in extensive practice since they’re given as much time as they need since the materials change every four years. They may also participate in additional auditions outside school for ensembles like the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra (SLSYO) to prepare.
“When I went in, my knees were shaking, and it was pretty bad. Just doing more auditions makes you better as a player,” Liu said. “I’m sure it’ll be a very rewarding experience. I’m a freshman, so I can’t say much about it, but the audition was very useful.”
After arriving Wednesday afternoon, students who were a part of the ensemble participated in a seating test, rehearsed multiple times and performed at the end of the convention.
“We kind of meet once, get there, stay for a few nights and then you just perform,” Liu said. “It’s pretty quick, but it’s a lot of time [saved for rehearsing].”
Liu, who has a strong passion for music, finds satisfaction in his work with the ensemble. He believes the ensemble’s distinguished reputation and its role in fostering musical interest are reasons he encourages auditions and participation.
“It’s worth it as someone who takes music pretty seriously. You get to play great music,” Liu said. “If you know some other people who play in an orchestra and you like that experience of playing in one, I’d suggest you go and audition; not only strings [instruments] play but woodwinds too.”
