The 2024-2025
Colorado All State Choir
Preparation Packet
Give your students an edge on the audition!
From my two years singing in the Colorado All State Choir (1998 and 1999) and throughout my twelve years as a high school choir director, I have always considered performing with this incredible ensemble the ultimate musical experience for the most talented young singers and musicians across our beautiful state. After careful study of the rigorous audition process, I put together a set of preparation materials that always gave my students an edge over other schools.
The technical audition itself is as close to a standardized test as students will get in a vocal music performance class. So why not teach to the test? This incredible resource is available for ALL Colorado high school choir programs seeking an edge in the All State Choir audition.
It works!
"My students benefit so much from the packet. The insider tips and suggestions are so helpful and with new sight-reading exercises each year I will continue to purchase this resource as long as Stephen Ross keeps making it!"
- Laura Walters, Niwot High School Choir Director
"The All State prep packet has been essential for the students preparing to audition for All State. It gives them something tangible that they can use to track their progress and structure their practice time. I love being able to provide this resource for my students!"
- Chris Loesel, Lutheran High School Choir Director
“It is really helpful to have one resource that provides valuable tips and examples from each category within the All State audition. I appreciate the 'Tips for Success' because it provides varying techniques when approaching the skills, and addresses differing learning styles. There are some tips and approaches that slightly differ from the approach I generally take – this is great for the kids because it provides them with many options and ways of thinking so that they may ultimately choose the techniques that work best for them. We also love the humor that is intertwined throughout the entire packet. All State prep can be a stressful process for many students and it is refreshing to add a little laughter.”
- Elizabeth Hohweiler, Rocky Mountain High School Choir Director
What's included?
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79 increasingly difficult melodic sight reading exercises in the format of the ASC audition [all are modified from last year, and match this year's updated audition format]
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Includes one page of nine "Name that Tune" sight reading excerpts from current pop hits!
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30 rhythm reading exercises that mimic the audition
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All State solo selection flow-chart
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11 solfege warm-up exercises that will brainwash sight singing intervals and patterns into their DNA.
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Directors will also receive all warm ups, melodic, and rhythmic sight readings as a digital PDF packet oriented horizontally with one exercise per page -- ideal to project on a smartboard, or for Zoom/Google Meets virtual presentations.
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Scales and Triads "cheat sheet".
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All State intervals strategies "cheat sheet".
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A list of songs representing all possible intervals
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Access to 200 Interval ID audio examples (20 audio MP3s that gradually expand the scale, to play for your students)
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Includes a student worksheet allowing you to formally or informally assess student interval recognition in a group (or over Zoom/Google Meet) in a discreet but authentic manner.
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NEW THIS YEAR: All 100 audio examples of Tonal Recall in various keys (in friendly vocal ranges) for students to practice the newest skill item on the audition
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70+ "Tips for Success", both outlined at the beginning and scattered throughout the packet, that will help your students maximize their strategic approach to all the skill items
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Flexible format to fit YOUR teaching methods. The packet is specifically relevant to the CASC audition, but how you teach the content is up to you and your student's needs. Whether you use numbers, solfege, la vs. do based minor, Curwen, and/or Takademi (or not!), everything is highly applicable regardless of your specific approach
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5 “mock auditions” that resemble what the student will see in their actual audition for you to facilitate one-on-one. This is a useful tool if you plan on having your kids go through the technical audition in the exact format in which it is presented.
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A smattering of humor and light-heartedness throughout to take the edge off the process!
Affordable!
Rather than price this "per octavo" like a standard piece of sheet music or text book, the pricing is an approximation of scale based on how many students are in your program. Smaller schools are afforded a discount allowing them access to the same resource as larger choral programs.
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1A-3A Schools - $80 school license
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4A Schools - $105 school license
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5A Schools - $130 school license
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First year teachers at their first teaching assignment - FREE (see below)
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Upgrading from last year's packet - $55 [All sight readings have been changed/updated from previous years. Purchase of 2023-2024 packet required]
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Private Voice Studios - $65 studio license
Order here!
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If you're able to order using a credit card, click the version that applies to your school/situation below.
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Upon purchase, you will be shown a link, instantly allowing you to download an expandable .ZIP file that contains all the materials for this year's packet. The link will also be provided in your email receipt. If you are a school secretary purchasing the packet on behalf of your choir director, you can forward them the receipt to pass off the download link.
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If you have any trouble downloading the packet materials, please contact me at MusicMrRoss@yahoo.com.
Need to pay by check?
Fill out this form to submit your order. Within 1 or 2 business days, you will be sent an invoice (if purchasing) and a link to download your packet and supplemental materials
First year teacher in your first job?
Fill out this form to submit your order. Within 1-2 buisiness days, you will be sent a link to download your FREE PACKET and supplemental materials.
Just be sure to pay it forward to someone else later in your career. :)
Published Choral Arrangements by Stephen Ross
Click the song title for a link to more information, and thank you for perusing!
Blackbird
Originally Performed by The Beatles
S(S)ATB
The Monster Mash
Originally Performed by Bobby Pickett
S(S)ATB
