Help with Region/All-State Etudes
On June 1, Ensemble Block launched its instructional videos and lessons on the 2026-2027 TMEA All-State Orchestra etudes. Ensemble Block videos are offered to students auditioning for TMEA for free in the 26-27 year: Ensemble Block Videos
In addition to the videos of the etudes, students can speed up or slow down the videos to practice alongside the recorder. Sections can be looped for repetition. Each recorder also offers a mini-lesson on the etude to help students with the pedagogy required in each etude.
Mr. McGee help
Mr. McGee is also creating videos on YouTube to help students practice the etudes. If you want to take lessons with him, please email him at talmcgeemusic@gmail.com. The links are below:
- Violin Etudes Practice Guide: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrJ6ATQuOCf3gd6p7tr4Z8PfPNytMUxEc
- Viola Etudes Practice Guide: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrJ6ATQuOCf0rdjtEgAhrq_03AuL1Ruvn
Violin Etudes
Violas Etudes
Cello Etudes
Bass Etudes
All-State Excerpts
All-State Orchestra & Audition Process
After the Region Audition the top students from each instrument group in the Region Orchestra are allowed to audition for the Texas Music Educators Association’s All State Orchestras. There are three All-State Orchestras for the state of Texas and making it into one of these ensembles is huge honor and extremely competitive. The orchestras are conducted by university and professional conductors. All rehearsals and performances will take place in February at the annual TMEA conference which is usually held in San Antonio.
Audition Process from 2026 – 27
- May 1 – Etudes are released on TMEA website. Start practicing both etudes slowly in their entirety.
- See website for errata: https://www.tmea.org/divisions-regions/orchestra/audition-material/etudes
- August 1
- Excerpts are released on TMEA website for the All-State Audition (only learn these if you plan on auditioning for All State).
- Region Etude minimum cuts issued by the state
- September 1 @ 12 pm
- Etude & Excerpt cuts released for the All-State Area Taping Auditions.
- October 3 (Saturday) – High School Region 27 Orchestra Auditions at Spring Forest MS. Only the cuts from the two etudes are required. Orchestra winners announced that same day.
- October 31 (Saturday) – All-State Area Taping Auditions at CFISD Visual & Performing Arts Center (aka VPAC). The etude cuts and excerpt cuts are performed before a microphone from the September 1 TMEA posting. Only students who make the top region orchestra should audition for All-State.
- November 20 – 21 – Region 27 Orchestra Clinic and Concert at CFISD VPAC
- February 10 – 13 – TMEA Convention and All-State Rehearsals. All-State Orchestra Concerts are on Saturday, Feb. 13.