All-State Information
2026 All-Region and All-State Orchestra
NORTH Alabama All-Region Orchestra – Northern, East-Central, and Central Districts
SOUTH Alabama All-Region Orchestra – West-Central, South-Central, Southwest, Southeast Districts
WOODWIND, BRASS, and PERCUSSION STUDENTS: Will audition virtually by November 14, 2025, to participate in an All-Region OR All-State full orchestra.
STRING, HARP, and PIANO STUDENTS: Will audition virtually by October 17, 2025, to participate in an All-Region AND All-State orchestra ensemble. It is anticipated that students will commit to the All-Region Orchestra weekend as they commit to participate in the All-State Orchestra Festival.
AUDITIONS: All students that wish to participate in the AOA Alabama All-State Orchestra Festival and/or the AOA North/South Alabama All-Region Orchestra Festival will only need to audition once. Audition materials will be available at the ‘Audition Excerpts’ link starting on August 15, 2025.
String students will have two audition options for All-State Orchestra: they may audition for Festival Orchestra/Sinfonia (FO/SO) and/or Consort String Orchestra (CSO). All students who audition for CSO will use the CSO Audition Excerpts. All string students who audition for FO & SO will use the FO/SO Audition Excerpts. String students may choose to submit two audition entries-one for CSO and one for FO/SO; there is an additional registration fee for the 2nd audition entry.
AGE REQUIREMENTS: Students auditioning for All-Region/All-State Orchestras will need to meet the following age requirements:
Students, ages 10 through high school seniors, are eligible to audition for All-Region Orchestra Festivals. Students must be 10 years old by the first rehearsal day of the All-Region Festival.
Students, ages 12 through high school seniors, are eligible to audition for the All-State Orchestra Festival. Students must be 12 years old by the first rehearsal day of the All-State Festival.
Please note: this year the age requirement for All-State Orchestra changes to 12 years old; the age requirement for All-Region auditions will remain for students ages 10 and up.
VIRTUAL AUDITIONS: All-State and All-Region Auditions will be held virtually this Fall, by submission of a link to a YouTube video recording. Please review audition details carefully (updated by September 15, 2025). The same audition will qualify students for participation at the State and/or Region level(s).
2026 North Alabama All-Region Orchestra
The 2026 North Alabama All-Region Orchestra Festival will take place January 10-11, 2026. Placement into the festival is by audition only. The North Alabama Region includes the Northern, East Central, and Central Districts of AOA.
The 2026 North Alabama All-Region Orchestra festival consists of the two following ensembles:
North Symphony Orchestra for woodwind, brass, percussion and string students who seek an opportunity to perform full-orchestra music.
North String Orchestra for string students who seek an opportunity to play in an honor ensemble with other string players.
2026 South Alabama All-Region Orchestra
The 2026 South Alabama All-Region Orchestra Festival will take place January 10-11, 2026. Placement into the festival is by audition only. The South Alabama Region includes the West Central, South Central, Southwest, and Southeast Districts of AOA.
The 2026 South Alabama All-Region Orchestra festival consists of the two following ensembles:
South Symphony Orchestra for woodwind, brass, percussion and string students who seek an opportunity to perform full-orchestra music.
South String Orchestra for string students who seek an opportunity to play in an honor ensemble with other string players.
2026 Alabama All-State Orchestra
The 2026 Alabama All-State Orchestra Festival will take place February 12-15, 2026, at Moody Music Building, University of Alabama, 810 2nd Ave, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401. Placement into the festival is by audition only.
The 2026 All-State Orchestra festival consists of the three following ensembles:
Festival Orchestra for advanced woodwind, brass, percussion and string students who seek an opportunity to perform professional level full-orchestra music.
Sinfonia for intermediate to advanced woodwind, brass, percussion and string students who seek an opportunity to perform full-orchestra music.
Consort String Orchestra for intermediate level string students who seek an opportunity to play in an ensemble with other string players.
Location
Moody Music Building
University of Alabama
810 2nd Ave
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Participant Requirements
- Students have one of two options for formal concert black:
- Black floor-length black dress, or black floor-length skirt with nice black shirt/blouse (sleeves beyond the elbow)
- Black dress pants, long-sleeve black dress shirt, and black straight tie.
- Shoes: Black dress shoes, close-toed, flats, or a 1”- 2” heel are acceptable. No clogs, sandals, flip-flops, boots, or platforms will be accepted.
- Hair: At all performances the hair should be placed out of the students’ eyes in a professional style. No bows, ribbons, or barrettes. All hair clips and accessories should be discreet and blend with the hair color.
- Jewelry: Jewelry should be modest and worn under the uniform. All earrings should be small loops or studs.
*Note: If you are uncomfortable with either of these options, please contact president@alabamaorchestraassociation.org to discuss a third option.