Middle Level All-State Orchestra
Contact
Have any questions or comments for this event? Contact Daniel Ericksen.
Deadline/Application Cost
Application window will be open from October 10 - November 7, 2025
Audition: Audition requirements can be seen below
Application site: opusevent.com
Audition Fee: $15
Chosen student participation fee: $80.00
Rehearsal and Performance Information
Rehearsal date and times: Friday, February 13th from (8:30am-7:00pm)
Location: University of Northwestern - St. Paul, MN
-Lunch, Dinner and a snack will be provided on the rehearsal date
Performance: Saturday, February 14th at 11:30AM
Location: MMEA's Midwinter Clinic (Minneapolis Convention Center)
Eligibility
All students must be string players in grades 7 through 9 during the 2025-2026 school year.
A student participating in the Middle Level All-State Orchestra must be enrolled in their school orchestra, if one exists. They must be enrolled in and a member in good standing from the time of the audition through the following February rehearsals and performance in order to be eligible for participation in the ensemble.
Participation is limited to those students whose sponsoring teacher is a current member in good standing of both MNSOTA/ASTA and MMEA/NAfME at the time of the student’s audition and continues to be a member of both MNSOTA and MMEA through the February rehearsal and performance period. The sponsoring teacher must be currently teaching the student at the time of the student’s audition, and must continue as a teacher for that student through the February rehearsal and performance period. Examples of sponsoring teachers are school ensemble directors, studio teachers/instructors for private lessons, and individuals conducting a community youth ensemble.
General Information
Student members will be chosen by score, with ties going to students in rural areas with fewer opportunities than those in the metro area.
Teachers and students will receive practice copies of music by email. Students will receive performance parts at the first rehearsal.
All chosen students must attend all scheduled rehearsals and activities. A participation fee of $80.00 per student will cover all expenses of the rehearsals and performance including the cost of two meals.
Guardians will be responsible for transportation, lodging and supervision when the students are not in rehearsal or performance.
Conductor
Sarah Finn-Sommerfeld currently serves as the Director of High School Orchestras for Minnetonka Public Schools, where she leads the orchestral program for students in grades 9–12. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she advises chamber ensembles and other student-led groups, and holds the role of Department Chair for the music faculty at the high school. Sarah is a dedicated music educator who brings her love for orchestral music to the next generation of musicians.
Sarah was honored with the Master Teacher Award by the Minnesota Orchestra Teachers Association in 2023, recognizing her excellence in music education. She also received the Minnetonka School District’s Celebration of Excellence Award for Child-Centered Teaching in 2016.
Beyond her work in the classroom, Sarah maintains a private violin and viola studio, and has worked as a performer in pit orchestras for musical theatre productions. Her performance credits include Les Misérables, Oklahoma!, Damn Yankees, Into the Woods, South Pacific, and The Phantom of the Opera.
Sarah’s professional career is anchored in education. She holds a Specialist Degree in Educational Administration from Concordia University – St. Paul (2012), a Master of Education (2009), and a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire (2002). During her undergraduate studies, she performed with the University Symphony Orchestra, String Orchestra, various chamber ensembles, a jazz combo, and the Chippewa Valley Symphony, while also assisting with the Chippewa Valley Youth Orchestra. She studied violin under Mark Bjork in high school and Nobuyoshi Yasuda during her college years.
Sarah began her teaching career in the School District of Janesville, Wisconsin, where she taught orchestra to students in grades 6–12 across three schools. During that time, Sarahco-founded the Rock Prairie Youth Orchestra with Dr. Jeff Suarez in an effort to provide an orchestral opportunity for those students who might not otherwise have the chance to do so. Sarah also operated a private studio, and directed a strolling strings ensemble that performed regularly in the community.
Since joining Minnetonka Public Schools, Sarah has continued to inspire students through her leadership, musicianship, and dedication to arts education. When she is not immersed in the world of teaching, Sarah enjoys travel, outdoor adventures, and has a deep love of reading.
Online Audition Process
Upload the student’s recording files, payment and contact information.
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Either the student/guardian OR the sponsoring teacher/director can complete the application. MNSOTA recommends that an adult take this responsibility.
How to check on the status of your application:
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If the Status is Continue some application information, upload files, or payment are still incomplete.
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If the Status is Submitted, all applications materials are complete.
If your student is accepted into the MLAO there is one final step: All emails entered into the GetAcceptd application will receive a link for the student’s school principal (or homeschool equivalent) to fill out. The principal’s digital signature is required for all students participating in the event. The principal will only sign if the student is in good standing with the school. No student will be allowed to attend the event if their principal’s digital signature is missing.
Audition and Upload Requirements
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Students/guardians OR sponsoring teachers/directors may complete the necessary application information and upload the audition files using the GetAcceptd website. All personal information entered into GetAcceptd will be hidden from the judges to allow for anonymous judging.
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Each student must upload four separate audio files into his/her Acceptd user profile. Each file should be named according to the title of the submission (e.g. “G major scale” or “Vivaldi Concerto”). Please do not include any information that could identify the applicant in file names.
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A metronome must not be used during any recording. Audition scores will be docked points for incorrect rhythm or slow tempo of scales.
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All scales are to be played two octaves ascending and descending at q = 80 (or faster) with the rhythm:
File 1
The specified major scale below, recorded without metronome and with the tempo and rhythm above.
Violin: D Major
Viola: G Major
Cello: G Major
Bass: G Major
File 2
The specified minor scale below, recorded without metronome and with the tempo and rhythm above.
Violin: E Melodic Minor
Viola: A Melodic Minor
Cello: A Melodic Minor
Bass: E Melodic Minor
File 3
The specified excerpt below, recorded without accompaniment.
Violin: Third movement of Concerto in A Minor by Vivaldi (Suzuki, Vol. 4), beginning to beat 1 of measure 50
Viola: First movement of Concerto No. 5 by F. Seitz (Suzuki, Vol. 4), first 45 measures, not counting piano intro
Cello: La Cinquantaine (Suzuki, Vol. 3), measures 17–40
Bass: Introduction and Dance by L. Scarmolin (Ludwig), measures 9–51
File 4
A short piece, excerpt or etude of own choosing not to exceed 2 minutes in length. This selection must be recorded without accompaniment, and must be of equivalent or greater difficulty to the required piece. Pop tunes and novelty pieces are not appropriate. Please indicate the title of your choice piece in the file name using composer last name and piece title.
Event Cancellation/Refund Policy
Since events cannot be rescheduled, during normal times MNSOTA is committed to holding all events as planned and will cancel an event only in cases of a safety emergency (e.g. road conditions/weather), based on state advisories. If an event is cancelled, participant fees paid to an outside organization such as GetAccptd cannot be refunded. However, at the discretion of the board, a partial refund of participant fees paid to MNSOTA may be considered after expenses have been paid.