FAQs

Q: What grade do I have to be in to audition?
A: Auditions are open to students grades 9-12 for the CODA Honor Orchestras in December and the High School All-State Orchestras. Students auditioning for the Junior High All-State Orchestra must be in grades 7-8.

Q: Do I have to submit two separate forms if I’m auditioning for both CODA Honor Strings and CODA Honor Symphony?
A: No. You only need to submit one form and a separate recording for each orchestra.

Q: Can I use the same recording for both the CODA Honor Symphony Orchestra and the High School All-State Orchestra?
A: Yes, you can submit a copy of your CODA Honor Symphony audition with your All State application. String players can re-submit the same recording for both applications. Wind, Brass, and Percussion players must submit their CODA Honor Orchestra auditions through the CODA website, and their All-State auditions to CBDA. Please see the CBDA website for Wind, Brass, and Percussion All-State audition details.

Q: Why didn’t I make it into the orchestra this year when I made it in previous years?
A: There could be numerous reasons. Here are a few possible answers:

The quality of the recording is poor. Please check that there is no additional reverb and the volume of recording is not too loud or too soft.
Each year, the competition changes. Every time you audition for one of the orchestras, you are competing against different people. Spots are limited and we take the top recordings.

Q: Are the results listed in ranking order?
A: Results are listed in alphabetical order (last name). For CODA Honor Orchestras, the wind, brass, and percussion players find out their ranking when they receive their music. Seating auditions for all string players for all orchestras will take place before or during the first rehearsal for your event. Please check your event schedule to learn if the seating auditions are before or during your first rehearsal. Excerpts from the music you will be performing will be used for these auditions.

Q: I have been accepted into the CODA Honor Orchestra, or All-State Orchestra- why have I not received any music or information?
A: Music is sent via email. We try to send the music within two weeks of the audition results being posted. Sometimes there are delays for various reasons. If you have not received your music after two weeks of the results being posted, please contact the Executive Administrator at tadams@codaorchestras.org

Q: I found out I have a scheduling conflict, ie. school event, SAT’s, etc. Can I miss a couple of hours of rehearsal?
A. No. Rehearsal time is limited and can not be missed by any student. If you have a conflict, you will have to make a decision and let us know immediately. If you are not able to keep your participation commitment, you will forfeit fees paid and become ineligible from future CODA Honor Orchestra or All-State participation.

Q: Who may submit an audition?
A: Please see below.

Students with an instrumental program at their school that includes strings, who are in the appropriate grade for the ensemble:
a. Auditions must be submitted by the school director.
b. All fees must be paid. These include membership dues, the school fee, and the student fee.
c. The student must be in their school program to be eligible to audition.
Students with no instrumental music program, who are in the appropriate grade for the ensemble:
a. Youth orchestra director, private instructor, or parent must join CODA as an Associate Member.
b. All fees must be paid. These include the membership dues, the school fee, and the student fee.
c. A letter on school letterhead, signed by the school principal confirming that there is no instrumental music program at the school that includes strings must be emailed to CODA at tadams@codaorchestras.org
Home school students:
a. Youth orchestra director, private instructor, or parent must join CODA as an Associate Member.
b. All fees must be paid. These include the membership dues, the school fee, and the student fee.
c. Proof of home school enrollment must be emailed to CODA at tadams@codaorchestras.org

Q: What organization(s) do directors have to be a member of in order for students to participate?
A: Directors must be a member of CODA to submit any CODA Honor Orchestra audition. You must be a member of CODA to submit All-State string auditions. You must be a member of CBDA to submit wind, brass, percussion, and harp auditions.

Q: Is there an application/submission deadline?
A: All High School auditions must be uploaded, approved, and submitted for judging by the director by 11:59 PM on October 15, 2024
All Junior High School auditions must be uploaded, approved, and submitted for judging by the director by 11:59 PM on November 2, 2024
There are no exceptions to this rule. The system automatically closes at that time and will not reopen until the following year’s auditions open. If paying by check, it must be postmarked by November 3, 2024 for all auditions.

Audition Submission Deadlines:
October 15, 2024 – CODA Honor Orchestras
October 15, 2024 – CODA High School All-State (grades 9-12)
November 2, 2024 – CODA Junior High School All-State (grades 7-8)

Q: How much does it cost to participate in the CODA Honor Orchestra?
A: If you are a high school student who is selected to participate in one of our CODA Honor Orchestra ensembles, there is a non-refundable participation fee which is due once the audition results are posted. For reference, the participation fee for 2024 was $345 for two nights lodging, $285 for one night lodging, and $225 for self-housed students.
Other audition costs are as follows:

- CODA Honor Orchestra Application Fee for Students (non-refundable) – $45.00 per student/instrument
- Director Membership (annual and non-refundable) – $50.00 ($25.00 Retired; $10.00 College Student)
- School Fee, if sending students to audition for honor ensembles (annual and non-refundable) – $55.00

Q: How much does it cost to participate in All-State?
A: If you are a junior high or high school student who is selected to participate in one of our 2025 All-State ensembles, there is a non-refundable participation fee which is due once the audition results are posted. All students will be CASMEC-housed. There are no exceptions. For reference, the participation fee for 2024 was $610. For 2025, this cost will possiblly increase slightly due to the increased costs for housing and food. This fee will be due by late November – early December 2024.
Other audition costs are as follows:

- All-State Application Fee for Students (non-refundable) – $55.00 per audition
- Director Membership (non-refundable) – $50.00 ($25.00 Retired; $10.00 College Student)
- School Fee, if sending students to audition for honor ensembles (non-refundable) – $55.00

Other optional costs for educators attending CASMEC January 15-19, 2025 will be posted soon:

- Conference Registration – registration prices coming soon
- Conference Registration and Cancellation Policies

Q: What if I can’t afford the participation fee?
A: CODA has some financial assistance available. An application link will be provided in the email announcing the results and upon request. You are also encouraged to contact your school’s music booster program, your school, the ASB at your school, your school district, or community organizations like Optimists, Lions, Elks, etc. Many of these organizations are willing to help students that have earned a place in an honor program.

Q: How do I submit the paperwork and payment?
A: Auditions: All audition payments can be submitted through the CODA Digital Audition System. Audition paperwork is submitted via email to tadams@codaorchestras.org. Please check the Recording Instructions and/or Directors Instructions for more information.
Participation for Accepted Students: CODA Honor Orchestra paperwork is submitted through the CODA Digital Audition System and via email to tadams@codaorchestras.org. Information for submitting participation paperwork and fees will also be shared with accepted students, directors, and parents via email closer to the event. All-State paperwork is submitted through the CASMEC website. Information for submitting participation paperwork and fees will also be shared with accepted students, directors, and parents via email closer to the event.