Explanation of practice materials

This page contains all the materials you need to have a successful experience with the TMEA All-State audition music. There are three media sections containing various files. To be successful, you will need to work with all the materials in each section, as each file serves a distinct and separate purpose.

Equally important as the materials, it is imperative that you begin working with these files immediately, taking each étude in small sections or chunks.  Begin with the practice recordings that present the music at the slowest tempo.

Do not try to play the études all the way through – not only does this process unproductive, it is actually detrimental as it reinforces small mistakes and errors resulting from the unaware neglect of the many details including, rhythmic accuracy, intonation, articulation, phrasing, dynamics (both written and implied), appropriate places to breathe, consistency of tone quality, and the evenness of rhythms and pulse.