<p>I think a lot depends on the individual kid. My experience in NJ is that there are a fair number of conservatory-bound kids participating in All-State, All-Eastern and so forth. I guess we are a little farther away from NYC than vicariousparent because we only know one or two kids who did the Juilliard pre-college program, yet we know many more who became performance majors at places like Oberlin, Carnegie Mellon, Westminster Choir College, NEC and St. Olaf.</p>
<p>I agree with violadad that All-State is just one data point and that it is not as strong a data point as some others. It is an enjoyable way to get some excused absence time from school and to go play music with like-minded friends.</p>