The tension is noticeable in the choir room at Paschal High School as students prepare for the rigorous Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) All-State Choir auditions, a process renowned for its difficulty and the pressure it places on vocalists. This highly competitive four-round audition series culminates in the selection of the top 3 percent of high school musicians across the state to perform in prestigious All-State ensembles according to TMEA. For many students, the journey is filled with both excitement and a dose of pre-performance jitters.

“It’s nerve-wracking to think about competing against so many talented singers from all over Texas,” says Sam Gulde, a junior tenor who has been practicing tirelessly for weeks. The All-State audition process requires singers to learn challenging collegiate-level music and perform cuts or portions of the pieces for a panel of judges hidden behind a screen adding to the pressure. Judges evaluate students on their knowledge of the music quality of singing and sight-reading abilities.

To manage nerves and prepare for the initial round students use various strategies such as intensive practice at school and by yourself at home, voice lessons during class to work on voice technique and stamina, Mock auctions to help simulate the pressure and provide feedback from peers, sight reading drills, the 3rd and 4th rounds introduce sight reading. Many students dedicate time to daily sight reading practice to help prepare for the later rounds, and mental preparation to manage stress and anxiety, mental preparation can significantly reduce performance anxiety and boost performance quality, techniques like deep breathing and positive mindsets can help deal with the anxiety of singing in front of judges. 

The All-State journey highlights the dedication within Paschal High school’s choir program. Students are demonstrating a commitment to musical excellence as they strive for the All-State honor.