Frequently Asked Questions

Who may submit an audition?

Students with an instrumental music program at their school:

  • Auditions must be submitted by the school director.
  • The student must be in their school program to be eligible to audition.

Students with no instrumental music program at their school:

  • Private Instructor or parent must join as an Associate Member. (In the case of a jazz audition, please join CAJ as a regular member, not a Patron member)
  • A letter on school letterhead, signed by the school principal, confirming that there is no instrumental music program at the school must be included with the All-State Application.

    Students who are home schooled:

  • Parents must join CBDA as an Associate Member. (In the case of a jazz audition, please join CAJ as a regular member, not a Patron member)
  • Proof of home school enrollment must be submitted with the All-State Application.

    All auditions and memberships require a payment of fees including membership dues, school fees, and student fees.

The 2026 participation cost is estimated to be $680 with no increase from All-State 2025. This payment will be due November 2025.

All fees are non-refundable

Contact your school’s booster program, your school, the ASB at your school, your school district, or community organizations like Optimists, Lions, Elks, etc. Many of these organizations are willing to help students that have earned a place in an honor program.
The All-State HS Orchestras rehearsals and performances take place during the same time as the All-State High School Honor Bands.
All woodwind, brass, and percussion students submitting auditions will be asked to choose from three options:
  • “I am auditioning for either All-State Honor Band or the All-State Honor Orchestra.”
  • “I am only auditioning for All-State Honor Band.”
  • “I am only auditioning for All-State Honor Orchestra.”

    Saxophone and Euphonium auditions are considered for band only.
    There are no winds and percussion in the All-State Junior High Orchestras.
    • Results will be posted online mid-November.

    All High School auditions must be uploaded, approved, and submitted for judging by the director by 11:59 PM on October 15, 2025.

    All Junior High School auditions must be uploaded, approved, and submitted for judging by the director by 11:59 PM on November 3, 2025.

    There are no exceptions to this rule. The audition system automatically closes at that time and will not reopen until the following year’s auditions open.

    If paying by check, it must be postmarked by Nov 3, 2025 for all auditions.

     

    $55.00 – Audition and application fee for students 

    $100.00 – Director membership
    $55.00 – School fee (if your director joins between 7/1/2025-9/1/2025 this fee is waived)

    All fees are non-refundable.

    $55.00 – Audition and application fee for students 

    $100.00 – Director membership
    $55.00 – School fee (if director joins between 7/1/2025-9/1/2025 this fee is waived)

    All fees are non-refundable.

    Conference Registration will be available soon!

    Auditions: All audition payments can be submitted through the CBDA Digital Audition System. Audition paperwork is submitted electronically. Please check the Recording Instructions and/or Directors Instructions for more information.

    Participation for Accepted Students: Information for submitting participation paperwork and fees will be shared with accepted students, directors, and parents via email closer to the event. This information will also be posted on the CASMEC website.
    You must be a member of CBDA to submit wind or percussion auditions for All-State. You must be a member of CAJ to submit jazz auditions for All-State.  You must be a member of CODA to submit string auditions.

    All-State takes place at the California All-State Music Education Conference (CASMEC). CASMEC 2026 will be held January 14-18 in Sacramento, CA.
    All-State Jazz Students arrive and begin rehearsals on January 14.
    All other All-State students arrive and being rehearsals on January 15.
    All-State concerts will be held over several days at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium, 1515 J St, Sacramento, CA 95814.
    All-State concerts are free and open to the public. A schedule of concerts will be available at CASMEC.org closer to the event.

    All students will be CASMEC-housed. There are no exceptions.