Soloists 

Eligibility

Directors wishing to have their grades 10-12 students considered for All-State Festival must indicate their interest by signing the Invoice/Signature Form on the State Solo & Ensemble registration form. 

To be considered for All-State Festival, a soloist must:

• Receive a Division I - Excellent Final Determination at State Solo & Ensemble Festival
• Agree to perform at the Solo and Ensemble Recital and/or the Gala Concert
• In addition to their performance score, the All-State Finalist must receive a 24 or higher in sight reading at the intermediate or advanced level. If the event does not receive a score of 24 or higher, they do not qualify and the alternate becomes the finalist.
  

Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, pursuant to passing of Proposal 26-04 on March 7, 2026 :

• Ninth through twelfth grade students are invited to participate; ninth grade students should perform at the same level in all events throughout the year and are expected to meet the performance standards of the level in which they participate (ninth grade students may participate in solo/ensemble or choral festivals at the high school or junior high/middle school level, but not both).
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Selection

The number of entries registered at each site will determine the total number of solo finalists. 

Selected performance adjudicators choose All-State Festival finalists and alternates from each Festival.

Finalists will receive notification of their selection from the Site Coordinator at the conclusion of State S&E. Due to the nature of the event, the Site Coordinator will NOT send any communication except to those who were selected.

The Director of All-State will later send Festival registration information. 

Performance

All chosen soloists will appear at the Friday recitals (9 AM or 1PM).

The top two soloists selected from the rotation schedule (see right) will also perform at the Thursday Gala Concert.

In 2026, this is the U.P. site.  Based on the annual rotation, in 2026 the top two soloists selected from the U.P. site must agree to perform at the Thursday Gala Concert and the Friday Vocal Solo and Ensemble Recital.

Festival Instructions

Soloists and their directors will receive instructions regarding:

• Vocal Solo & Ensemble Recitals
• Housing information, forms, costs including registration fees and schedules 
• A letter of congratulations will be mailed to solo finalists, their directors, principals and superintendents.  A plaque will be presented to soloists. 

Small Ensemble

Eligibility

Directors of Small Ensembles interested in All-State Festival consideration must sign the Invoice/Signature on the State Solo & Ensemble registration form. The All-State Festival adjudicator at a State Solo & Ensemble Festival will determine if a small ensemble meets the standards required for performance at the Solo & Ensemble Recital.

To be considered for All-State Festival, a Small Ensemble must:

• Receive a Division I - Excellent Final Determination at State Solo & Ensemble Festival
• Agree to perform at an All-State Festival Solo & Ensemble Recital

Performance

Small ensembles may have someone direct the group, and they must sing the same two pieces from State Solo & Ensemble Festival. Ensembles may add a third piece at their discretion.

Festival Instructions

Small Ensembles chosen for All-State Festival participation and their directors will receive instructions regarding:

• Vocal Solo & Ensemble Recitals
• Housing, forms, costs including registration fees and schedules 
• A letter of congratulations will be mailed to each Small Ensemble finalist director, their principal and superintendent. Plaques will be presented to participating ensembles and each student will receive a certificate.                                                   

Large Ensembles 

Eligibility

Directors of Large Ensembles interested in All-State Festival consideration must check the All-State Festival box and sign the State Solo & Ensemble registration form. 

The All-State Festival adjudicator at a State Solo & Ensemble Festival may choose up to five Large Ensembles that meet the standards required for performance at the Solo & Ensemble Recital for consideration. The recordings of their performances will be forwarded to the Executive Director for consideration by a listening panel who will choose up to fourteen ensembles for All-State Festival performance. 

Performance

Agree to perform at the Friday Solo and Ensemble Recital

Based on the annual rotation, in 2025 the Large Ensemble selected from the South site must agree to perform at the Thursday Gala Concert.

Festival Instructions

Large Ensembles and their directors will receive instructions regarding:

• Vocal Solo & Ensemble Recitals
• Housing, forms, costs including registration fees and schedule
• A letter of congratulations will be mailed to each Large Ensemble finalist director, their principal and superintendent. Plaques will be presented to participating ensembles and each student will receive a certificate.