All-State East band auditions are held the second Saturday in January at a site in the Middle Area.  The auditions consist of Major Scales, Prepared Pieces (released in September), and Sightreading examples.  These auditions serve as the auditions for the All-State East Honor Band Clinic held in February at the Park Vista Resort in Gatlinburg. They also serve as the auditions for the Tennessee All-State Band which is currently held each year in conjunction with the Tennessee Music Educators Association yearly conference at the Gaylord Opryland Resort.  Students are evaluated by professional music educators.  These auditions give students valuable experience in auditioning to be able to help prepare them for auditions for college scholarships and other prestigious music events such as Collegiate Honor Bands, Summer Music Camps, Military Band auditions, and National Honor Band Events.

Orchestra Students in grades 9 and 10 audition to be placed in a String Orchestra (consisting of Violins, Violas, Cellos, and Basses). Students prepare provided solo excerpts, and 3 octave scales. The excerpts will be available on the ETSBOA website by August before auditions. 

Major keys: C, G, D, A, F, Bb, Eb

Melodic Minor Keys: Violin: g and a melodic minor / Viola and Cello: c and d minor / Bass: e and d minor

At the audition, students will be asked to play 2 of these scales. They will find out the day before the audition which 2 scales they will have to play. 

Also at the audition, students will be asked to sight read. They will have a minute to look at a short selection, and then play it for the judges. 

The String Orchestra consists of 18 First Violins, 18 Second Violins, 12 Violas, 12 Cellos, and 9 Basses. After auditions, if the student ranks in these numbers, they have the opportunity to attend a three-day clinic with students from all over East Tennessee. They will work with a Guest Conductor on selected advanced repertoire and have a concert at the culmination of the clinic. 

The first 6 Violins from First Violin, the first 6 Violins from Second Violin, the first 4 Violas, the first 4 Cellos, and the first 3 Basses get the opportunity to attend All State where they will be at a clinic with students from all over Tennessee. 

Orchestra Students in grades 11 and 12 audition to be placed in a Symphony Orchestra (consisting of Violins, Violas, Cellos, Basses, Winds, Brass, and Percussion). Read below for instructions for audition for the String Players. 

The Winds, Brass, and Percussion students will follow the guidelines for their instruments as instructed for the All-State East Band Clinic. The students who make 11-12 Blue Band have the option of choosing 11-12 Blue Band or 11-12 Symphony Orchestra. There is a Virtual Meeting for students who made 11-12 Blue Band the Thursday after auditions. At this meeting, the students will state which group they are choosing to participate in. This decision is separate from their choice for All State. 

Orchestra Students prepare provided solo excerpts, and 3 octave scales. The excerpts will be available on the ETSBOA website by August before auditions. 

Major keys: C, G, D, A, E, B, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db

Melodic Minor Keys: Violin/Viola/Cello/Bass: a, e, d, b, g, f#, c, c#, f

At the audition, students will be asked to play 2 of these scales. They will find out the day before the audition which 2 scales they will have to play. 

Also at the audition, students will be asked to sight read. They will have a minute to look at a short selection, and then play it for the judges. 

The Symphony Orchestra consists of 18 First Violins, 18 Second Violins, 12 Violas, 12 Cellos, and 9 Basses. After auditions, if the student ranks in these numbers, they have the opportunity to attend a three day clinic with students from all over East Tennessee. They will work with a Guest Conductor on selected advanced repertoire, and have a concert at the culmination of the clinic. The first 6 Violins from First Violin, the first 6 Violins from Second Violin, the first 4 Violas, the first 4 Cellos, and the first 3 Basses get the opportunity to attend All State where they will be at a clinic with students from all over Tennessee. 

ETSBOA All-State East Senior Band and Orchestra Clinic is the largest event we host annually. It represents the culmination of months of meticulous planning and collaboration by numerous music educators and, most importantly, the students themselves. These students have already endured a rigorous audition process, navigated the nerves of performing at their best, and patiently awaited their results. At this event, over 600 students—most of whom have never played together—unite to create something greater than any individual: a performing ensemble.

The event begins on Thursday evening with a few hours of initial rehearsals to familiarize students with the music, followed by a jazz concert and opportunities for socializing. On Friday, the work intensifies with a full day dedicated to rehearsals. That evening, students attend a collegiate ensemble concert before returning to rehearsals for one final session. Saturday, by contrast, is the least demanding for the students, as it is the day all six ensembles—four bands and two orchestras—perform for their families and loved ones. It is truly a celebration of musical excellence.