Auditions for the All-State music festival were held at West High School this year. All-State Music festival is a prestigious statewide event, where Iowa’s top musicians are selected through a series of auditions, to perform in several ensembles including an orchestra, band, and chorus.
“I think auditioning is a good process to go through, it really helps your growth, and I’ve learned a lot about music from All-State, like especially how to perform,” Kaitlyn Fields ‘26, said.
Preparations look different for everyone, depending on the person and what they are auditioning for, but practice ranges anywhere from daily individual practices and working one on one with teachers, to All State audition practices twice a week.
“On Mondays we meet with a professor, and we sing cuts that Mr. Hagy or Mr. Walker (City High choir directors) have given us, just to get new opinions, and on Thursdays we meet as a group and sing for everybody,” said Fields.
Along with students who have had experience auditioning in previous years, there were many students auditioning for the first time.
“I feel like even if I don’t make it, auditioning is still a great way to get better. The results are just a few peoples opinions, the more important thing is how much better I’ve gotten from practicing for this,” alto saxophone Thomas Hand ‘28, said.
Only approximately 17% of the students who audition are selected for membership in the All-State ensembles, making it extremely selective.
“I play the alto which is one of the most competitive instruments for All State, and just in band period, but despite that my directors have been super supportive and no matter what happens I’ve grown as a player and that’s my ultimate goal,” Jesse Varner ‘26, said.
41 students from City High were selected, including 4 alternates.
Selected students will rehearse in Ames on Friday and Saturday, November 21–22, and the All-State Festivals 79’th anniversary Concert will be held at 7:30 p.m on Saturday, November 22, at Iowa State University.
Cecelia Appleton – Viola
Rocco Arnone – Cello
Felix Cook – Bass Clarinet (Alternate)
Miriam Doval – Violin
Escher Eicke – Violin
Gemma Escandell-Tapias – Cello
Coraline Etler – Euphonium
Madeline Fischer – Trumpet (Orchestra)
Amelia Flaming – Harp (Band)
Calissa Fruin – Oboe (Orchestra)
Silas Gollnick – Alto Saxophone
Yuchen Gong – Flute (Alternate)
Thomas Hand – Alto Saxophone (Alternate)
Jack Harmsen – Horn (Orchestra)
Vee Harrington – Oboe (Orchestra)
Lucas Iverson – Violin
Aurora Jeddeloh – Cello
Austin Klauke – Horn
Jillian Leman – Trumpet (Orchestra)
Linus McRoberts – Trombone (Orchestra)
Meghan Mettemeyer – Horn
Macy Mickalson – Clarinet
Frank Ogilvie – Bass Trombone
Emmett Palmberg – Clarinet
Milo Palmer – Bass Clarinet
Eleanor Plank – Cello
Anna Platte – Cello (Alternate)
Lily Rantanen – Flute
August Sander – Cello
Benjamin Sauder – Violin
Noelle Schnoebelen – Flute (Orchestra)
Julia Shannon – Alto 1
Abigail Sigafoose – Violin – 4-year participant
Evan Stucky – Percussion
Alrik Swanson – Viola
Max Tchernoraenko – Clarinet
James Tilley – Tenor Saxophone
Beckett Tobin – String Bass
Henry Vande Berg – Bassoon (Orchestra)
Martha Willard – Horn
Seth Zeithamel – Viola
