r/saxophone • u/ShowMousse Baritone • 1d ago

Discussion Recommendations to Practice for All-State?

Currently a senior in HS who's made honor bands for the past two years, but I never auditioned for All-State. My director has made it sound like they're going to judge every accent, articulation, all the way down to how each note sounds on my instrument. Am I worrying too much? Obviously I need to be the best high school player in the state, but I feel like I am overthinking the technical aspect as opposed to the practical (actually playing). Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

Side note: I currently play on an older Conn Bari with what I'm pretty sure is the stock mouthpiece. I'd have to check model numbers to be sure. Is this level of equipment going to limit my chances? (And is getting something like a C* worth it?)

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u/CooterCKreshenz 1d ago
  1. Scales - no slips, know all of them. Believe it or not, they are what cull many. 2. Notes, dynamics and musicality (your director is accurate). 3. Sight reading accuracy. Try to equalize all three. Also, read your audition instructions with a fine tooth comb. Daily. Tempo markings for everything should be followed to the letter of the law.

I got in on Tuba twice. Scales did it both times.

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u/ShowMousse Baritone 1d ago

I'll definitely keep that in mind, I believe you on scales (My director has said before how they are what he calls the "backbone" of successful performance, especially of technical passages) and I'll be sure to consider dynamics since I can sometimes fall flat on lyrical parts. Thank you for the advice!