Popular Music Ensemble Auditions

We are excited to present the debut of this brand new All-State ensemble! This ensemble will be significantly larger than a standard popular music ensemble including multiple drummers, bass players, pianists, guitarists, vocalists, and more. This ensemble will perform in multiple styles including rock, pop, country, R&B, hip hop, and more. Selected students will have input on songs that are programmed including creating originals. Your school does not have to have a modern band program in order for your student to audition, but students still need to be enrolled in an ensemble at their school in order to be eligible. See the Eligibility and Policies page for more info.

Auditions are due March 2, 2027. Students will be notified of selection in the spring of 2027. There will be a few virtual rehearsals in the fall of 2027. It is expected that selected students learn material on their own and during these virtual sessions. An in-person weekend rehearsal and concert will take place January 8-9, 2028 at Anoka-Ramsey Community College in Coon Rapids. The rehearsal will conclude on Sunday afternoon with a concert. A reprise rehearsal and performance will take place at the MMEA 2028 Midwinter Convention at the Minneapolis Convention Center.  Though the Popular Music Ensemble event does not take place during the same time as All-State Camp, MMEA policy remains that students can only participate in one All-State ensemble in order to maximize All-State participation. 

For All Auditions, Regardless of Ensemble

Each Popular Music Ensemble Audition Should Include:

  • Popular Music Ensemble Audition Registration Form (Students fill out this form for sponsoring teachers to enter information into the audition platform)
    • If you have a second instrument that is as strong as your first, submit two separate auditions. If you want to be considered for only one instrument but have skills on another and you would be willing to play this second instrument on a song or two (for example you are auditioning on guitar, but you also sing and play saxophone), enter  your additional instrument(s) and years of experience in the audition information (found on the registration form). We may contact you for an additional audition recording on a second instrument. Your selection into the group will be based on your primary instrument, but if selected for the ensemble, you might get to perform on your second instrument as well. Also indicate if you are a songwriter and would like one of your songs to be considered for performance.
  • A video recording of each component listed for your instrument/category. All components must be a separate file, and each file must be recorded in one continuous take. All audition videos must adhere to the Audition Requirements. Adjudicators will only receive audio of your audition; however in the case of a tiebreaker, the Popular Music Ensemble coordinators may view video for stage presence, so show some amazing stage presence in your audition.
    • No backtrack is necessary unless noted below. If a backtrack is required or desired, both the student performance and the backing track should be audible in the recording. We realize the sound quality of the backtrack may not be pristine.

Audition Instruments/Categories

If you need written music for the audition materials listed below, check with your music teacher or lesson teacher. You can also check resources like www.ultimate-guitar.com, www.songsterr.com, www.musescore.com, www.musicnotes.com, or email Eric Songer at esonger@mmea.org. Your school does not have to have a modern band program in order for you to audition.

  • Voice
    • 1 minute of a song of your choice
    • First verse and chorus (0:00-0:50) of “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” by Pat Benatar or first verse and chorus (0:00-0:48) of “The Middle” by Jimmy Eat World with or without backtrack
    • Harmonies to the last pre-chorus and chorus of “Breathless” by The Corrs OR second verse and chorus of “More Than Words” by Extreme. Use the backtrack link to sing along with harmonies with the song of your choice. When splitting into multiple harmonies, sing the higher harmony. If that harmony is out of your range, sing it an octave lower. Backtrack link: BREATHLESS (2:40-end) OR MORE THAN WORDS (2:20-3:20
  • Guitar
    • 1 minute of a song of your choice demonstrating both lead and rhythm guitar playing (not a solo; but a lead line) without backtrack
    • Intro, first verse and chorus (0:00-1:29) of “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd without backtrack 
    • Intro, first verse and chorus (0:00-0:50) of “Soul Man” by Sam & Dave without backtrack 
    • Pick ONE backtrack from below and improvise a solo for 45 to 90 seconds: Key of concert D major OR Key of concert B-flat major 
  • Keyboard
    • 1 minute of a song of your choice demonstrating both melodic and chord style playing without backtrack
    • Intro, first verse and chorus (0:00-1:14) of “Alone” by Heart without backtrack.
    • Pick ONE backtrack from below and improvise a solo for 45 to 90 seconds: Key of concert D major OR Key of concert B-flat major 
  • Bass Guitar
  • Drum Set
    • 2 songs of your choice demonstrating different styles (1 minute of each song) without backtrack
    • Intro, first verse and chorus (0:00-1:25) of “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder without backtrack
    • First chorus, second verse, second chorus, and drum break (0:46-1:56) of “Whole Lotta Love” by Led Zeppelin without backtrack
  • Horns
    • 2 octave eighth note concert F chromatic scale ascending and descending at a tempo of 120 beats per minute (scales are provided here)
    • 1 minute of a song of your choice (preferably in a popular style including jazz) without backtrack
    • Intro, Verse, Pre-Chorus, Chorus and Horn solo (0:00-0:18 and 0:37-1:21) of “Sir Duke” by Stevie Wonder without backtrack
    • Pick ONE backtrack from below and improvise a solo for 45 to 90 seconds: Key of concert D major OR Key of concert B-flat major 
  • Ukulele
  • Rapping
    • 1 minute of freestyle rapping original material demonstrating style and storytelling (backtrack optional)
    • 1 minute of a song of your choice with backtrack
    • A third selection that is 1-minute long. Can be original or a cover (backtrack optional)
  • Strings
    • 2 octave eighth note concert G chromatic scale ascending and descending at a tempo of 120 beats per minute (scales are provided here)
    • 1 minute of a song of your style (preferably in a popular style including bluegrass) without backtrack
    • Intro, 1st verse and 1st chorus (0:00-1:37) of “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay without backtrack
    • Pick ONE backtrack from below and improvise a solo for 45 to 90 seconds: Key of concert D major OR Key of concert B-flat major
  • Banjo
  • Other
    • If your instrument is not listed above (DJ, harmonica, mandolin, steel guitar, etc.), please check “Other” in your audition and fill in the blank with your instrument. Please record a 60-second excerpt of you performing your instrument in a popular music style followed by an improvised solo for 45 to 90 seconds: Key of concert D major OR Key of concert B-flat major

Resources

Questions? Email auditions@mmea.org