The final chapter of the 2025-2026 school year has concluded for the Alabama Orchestra Association! Over the past few months, we have provided music opportunities for hundreds of students across the state.
The Alabama All-State Orchestra took place on the campus of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, February 12-15. After months of preparation, this event was a massive success. Students submitted video auditions in the fall, which were judged by professional instrumentalists across the country. Their rankings decided students’ placements in both our Region orchestras and All-State. Once arriving at All State, the chosen string students participated in another seating audition before their first rehearsal. The students, as always, have the best weekend making music with their peers and enjoying time together. As always, we welcome sectional coaches from institutions across our state (and next door in Mississippi). We are so grateful to all those who help make this event a success. This includes private teachers, collegiate personnel, orchestra teachers, and, of course, the dedicated parents. We also want to thank our incredible clinicians, without whom this event would not have been the same: Dr. Mark Laycock (Festival Orchestra), Andrew Gekoskie (Sinfonia), and Dr. Annalisa Chang (Consort String Orchestra).
Another annual occurrence at All State Orchestra is our general membership meeting that takes place on the Saturday afternoon of the event. This meeting provides a time for the membership to come together and reflect on past, present, and future events. This year, the membership voted on our next board. This board will serve for the next two years. Our new president, Keith LaBenne (Gadsden City), will assume the role of president, moving from president-elect. Rachel Christmas (Birmingham City) and Rachel Sherrod (Etowah Youth Orchestra) will remain in their roles as secretary and treasurer, respectively. We are elated to announce that Kate Francis has been elected our next president-elect. Kate has served in many leadership roles throughout her career and was recently honored by the California All-State Music Education Conference with a medal of honor for her leadership. We are honored that she has joined our leadership team and will be a part of our organization!
The final event on AOA’s calendar this year was the Orchestra Music Performance Assessment. The statewide OMPA was held at Thompson High School in Alabaster, AL, on April 10, 2026. Nine schools participated from across the state, including Mobile, Montgomery, Gadsden, and Birmingham. Our performance judges included Dr. Letitia Jap (Samford University), Ethan Lolley (UNA/Shoals Symphony), and Bethany Wing (Huntsville Youth Orchestra). Dr. Morgan Soja (Samford University) was the sight-reading judge. This event is essential for the orchestra programs in our state. We can’t wait to see how the event can grow and facilitate more opportunities for programs in the future.
On a personal note, I can hardly believe that my tenure as AOA’s president has come to a close. While it hasn’t been the easiest of journeys, it has been an honor to serve our state and orchestra programs in this way. There are many stones left unturned and much work left to do to improve both music education and orchestral opportunities in our state. I look forward to assisting our future leaders in this long, rewarding quest. If you would like assistance or have any questions about our AOA events, please reach out to any AOA board member. I can’t wait to see what we achieve next!
Respectfully submitted,
Jordan Ford
AOA Outgoing President
Mark your calendars for the 2026-2027 school year!
- July 1 – Strings All-State Audition Materials Posted
- August 7 – WWBP All-State Audition Materials Posted
- October 16 – Strings Auditions Due (virtual)
- November 13 – WWBP Auditions Due (virtual)
- January 9-10 – Regions Orchestras
- February 11-17 – All-State Orchestra
- April 9 – OMPA