NAfME All-National Orchestra

So I recently just submitted my application for NAFME All-National Symphony Orchestra and was curious about my chances of getting in. I am the principal cellist of my youth orchestra that is very competitive and was selected to my state’s All-state orchestra. However, I wasn’t sure how well I stacked up with other cellists or even how many other cellists audition. So I guess my question is about how many people audition for All-Nationals per instrument and how selective is the process?

What we were told, years ago, is that they try to include members from all 50 states, if they get applications from them. Next, they look at All-State rankings. If say, you applied, and the All-State Principal from your state applied, the Principal gets it. Then, lastly, they look at the auditions. My daughter’s friend went several years ago (he was Principal Cellist of their All-State), and said it was fun. Good luck!

Great, thank you! I was not principal of my All-State orchestra so this is a little disappointing but I’m glad I know now. However, it is a little strange that the audition is the least important section of the application considering your audition demonstrates how skilled you are in comparison to others.

It is a strange model, but understandable considering their goal of representing all the US. Definitely still worth applying, even if you weren’t Principal. Once they fill the spots, they still go back to the video auditions to finish filling the orchestra, and may have more than one person from the same state in the same section. Also, this was several years ago and may have changed.