<p>I wouldn’t break a sweat over it, all state in either voice or instrumental music, while it can be/is a great experience, probably has little impact if you decide to go into music. I think having performance opportunities are a great thing, I think you get to meet other kids, experience different pieces of music, and that is valuable, much as is being in an all state ensemble gives you the opportunity to meet other kids, play different repertoire, and experience how different conductors work with groups, and so forth. Plus because they are auditioned they give you experience with the audition process, though at least in the all state choir program I had some experience with, it was done via a submitted recording and recommendation, not live audition, and there is a big difference, could be different in the program you are talking about. BTW I see you mention competitions, even those from everything I have been told and seen have little direct impact on getting into a music program, that while valuable in terms of performing experience and perhaps getting an idea of relative levels of how you stand, even they have little impact on admissions other then if they help bring your level up. </p>
<p>In terms of influence getting into a school of music, I don’t think it is that big a deal. If you are planning to go to a LAC, it would probably be a plus as an EC on a resume, like doing other things that show committment,but it is one of many things you can do. If you are talking conservatory programs (or maybe even music programs in some LAC’s), it probably doesn’t mean much of anything. Fortunately or unfortunately admissions to most high level music programs is based on your audition, the repertoire you are doing and how well you sing it, and that is pretty much it. From what I have heard, including from admissions people at some well regarded programs, things like what orchestra they played in, making all state, etc may only weight in if they have a two candidates to choose from, or a borderline admit, it is the same with things like recommendation letters and such. Caveat, there may be programs, especially in Choral music, that would give this some weight, I know nothing about choral music programs, but in voice and instrumental, I am petty certain that all state or other programs have little weight in admissions. </p>
<p>Plus as BassDad pointed out, the level of all state programs varies, depending on the talent pool in the state, and also quite frankly competing programs. For example, in places where there are high level youth orchestras, like in Chicago and Cleveland, or pre college programs like NEC, Juilliard and so forth, the talent pool for all state might not be as high level as a state where all state is a big deal, where they basically get most of the top level students trying to get in. Even assuming that being in All State weighed in, would they be able to judge if getting in met a particular level of excellence they were looking for?</p>
<p>The most important thing IMO (and not being involved in the vocal world, this is just my impression, so some of the other vocal oriented folks may know better) is if your are seriously thinking of going into music, it would be better to make sure you have as good a teacher as possible (if you have a teacher now who is topnotch, then that may not be an issue) and focus on that, rather then worrying about any specific ensemble or whatever (for the reasons I gave above). I think it is important to get performing experience, to use your voice, but the real focus is getting your singing level to a point that meets the stanards of the admissions committee.</p>