When are Oklahoma All-State band auditions?

Oklahoma OBA All-State band auditions happen in two stages. District auditions occur November 10 – December 15, 2025. Top performers advance to All-State auditions on January 16–18, 2026 in Oklahoma City.

What are the Oklahoma All-State band audition requirements?

Students perform 12 major scales, 3 harmonic minors, chromatic scale, a lyrical etude, a technical etude, and sight-read material. Scoring: Scales 20%, Lyrical Etude 30%, Technical Etude 30%, Sight-Reading 20%.

How are Oklahoma All-State band auditions conducted?

Oklahoma uses live in-person auditions. You perform alone in a room with three judges. You'll play scales, etudes, and sight-read material in a single continuous audition lasting 8-10 minutes.

Who can audition for Oklahoma OBA All-State band?

High school students in grades 9-12 who are members of their school's concert or symphonic band, registered by their band director, and residents of Oklahoma (or who have attended Oklahoma schools for 6 months) are eligible.

Oklahoma All-State Band Audition Guide 2025–2026 | OBA

Oklahoma OBA

All-State Band Audition Guide

Prepare for Oklahoma All-State band auditions — District pathway: November-January 2025–2026

Key Dates & Deadlines

District Auditions:: November 10 – December 15, 2025 (varies by region)
All-State Auditions:: January 16–18, 2026 (Oklahoma City)
Format:: In-person live auditions
Organization:: Oklahoma Bandmasters Association (OBA)
All-State Clinic:: January 19–21, 2026

Eligibility Requirements

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

✓Be a high school student (grades 9-12) enrolled in an Oklahoma school
✓Be an active member of your school's concert band or symphonic band
✓Have your band director register you before the district audition date
✓Be a legal resident of Oklahoma or have attended school in Oklahoma for 6 months
✓Your school must be sanctioned by OBA and OSSAA

Scale Requirements

Scales are fundamental to the Oklahoma All-State audition, counting for 20% of your score. You'll perform the same scales at both district and All-State levels.

Required Scales

• 12 major scales (all keys, both ascending and descending)
• Three harmonic minor scales (a, e, b minor)
• Chromatic scale (full range)
• All scales at quarter note = 92 BPM minimum

Scoring Breakdown

Scales: 20% • Lyrical Etude: 30% • Technical Etude: 30% • Sight-Reading: 20%

All scale requirements are published in the official OBA audition guidelines. Contact your band director for your region's specific tempo and articulation markings.

Etude & Solo Requirements

You must perform two contrasting etudes assigned by the state. Each etude is performed once at district auditions and again at the All-State clinic.

Lyrical Etude

A smooth, expressive etude that showcases tone quality, legit phrasing, and dynamic control. Counts for 30% of total score.

Technical Etude

A challenging, faster etude requiring articulation clarity, range, and technical facility. Counts for 30% of total score.

Sight-Reading

You will sight-read material of moderate difficulty provided at audition time. Counts for 20% of total score. Prepare by reading new material weekly.

In-Person Audition Format

Oklahoma uses live auditions at the district and All-State levels. You'll perform in a separate room with three judges who assess your musicianship and technique after each session.

Room Setup

You'll audition alone in a small room or rehearsal space. Judges sit directly across from you. Metronome is permitted during scales only.

Performance Order

You'll perform in this order: 12 major scales, 3 harmonic minors, chromatic, lyrical etude, technical etude, sight-reading. Total time: 8-10 minutes.

Judge Interaction

Judges may ask you to stop between sections. Keep composure. If they ask you to repeat a scale, it's not a reflection on your ability.

What to Bring

Bring all your etude music in a folder, your metronome, water, and a copy of your scale sheet. Arrive 15 minutes early to the audition site.

Preparation Timeline (4 Months)

Start your preparation by August to build solid fundamentals before district auditions in November.

August 2025

Get your etude assignments from your band director. Begin learning both etudes. Focus on slow, deliberate practice for tone development.

September 2025

Master the basic structure of both etudes. Begin daily scale practice at audition tempo (quarter = 92). Isolate difficult passages in etudes.

October 2025

Play through all scales and etudes daily without stopping. Record yourself weekly to assess intonation and consistency. Begin sight-reading practice.

November 2025

Prepare for district auditions. Do mock auditions with your director. Refine tempo consistency and articulation. Attend your district audition.

December 2025 – January 2026

If advancing to All-State, continue daily practice. Do mock auditions under simulated conditions. Study judge comments from district auditions.

Practice Tips for OBA Success

→Scales first, every day — Start every practice session with scales at audition tempo before you move to etudes
→Metronome on beat 1 only — Practice scales with metronome hitting just on beat 1, not all four beats, to develop internal pulse
→Time your scales — Test yourself weekly: Can you play all 12 majors + 3 minors + chromatic in under 6 minutes? That's audition pace
→Record mock auditions — Once weekly, record yourself in the exact order of the audition (scales → lyrical → technical → sight-read) without stopping
→Sight-read fresh material weekly — Don't rely on etude material for sight-reading. Download band method books and read 2-3 new exercises each week
→Listen to judge comments — Your district audition feedback is gold. Review it before All-State and fix those specific issues
→Sleep and breathing matter — Poor sleep wrecks tone production. Aim for 8 hours the night before your audition
→Attend the All-State clinic — Even if you don't advance, attend as an audience member to hear the standard you're aiming for

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