2021–22 KASGO Auditions
Click here for a document about auditions.
2021–22 KASGO Roster TBA
All-State Guitar Ensemble Ticket information: The All-State Guitar Ensemble performance will be at 10 am
on Saturday, February 5 in the Galt House Ballroom B/C. Tickets are $12 each and available for advance
purchase by contacting the KMEA office at 859-625-5635. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the
door 30 minutes prior to the show.
Websites offering free guitar ensemble literature:
General background about KASGO
RATIONALE: This ensemble provides a critical educational opportunity for high school guitar students in grades 9-12. There are numerous guitar programs in the state of Kentucky and this honor ensemble will serve those students and their directors. Kentucky is the fourth state to establish an All-State Guitar Orchestra after New Mexico, Florida, and Virginia. Participants are also be encouraged to audition to participate in the newly formed NAfME Honors Guitar Ensemble.
DESCRIPTION: KASGO will consist of four equal sections of guitar I (soprano), guitar II (alto), guitar III (tenor), guitar IV (bass), and depending upon availability, a limited number of acoustic bass guitar participants (approximately 10% of the group).
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS: A formal audition process will be used for the second year that include, video recordings. The audition fee for subsequent years will begin at $12 for video adjudications. These fees will be used for adjudication costs other necessities.
EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS: Minimal equipment will be required. It is understood that the participants will be responsible for their own equipment, including their acoustic (classical) guitar, music stand (short concertino stand preferred), foot stool, pencil, and extra guitar strings. Students will be expected to wear concert black attire for the performance.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS: There will be a $55 registration fee for participants, which will be used to purchase folders, certificates, print the programs, and other items as needed. Tickets to the concert will cost $12, and those proceeds, along with the residuals from auditions and registration, will be accumulated to support the eventual hiring of guest conductors and the commissioning of new literature for the KASGO.
SUPERVISION, GUIDELINES, AND LODGING: Supervision of students outside of the rehearsals will be the responsibility their respective guitar director, similar to participation in All-State Band, Orchestra or Choir. Only the legal guardian of a participating student may supervise that student in lieu of their band director or certified staff. Participating students will need to follow the guidelines set forth for KMEA All-State Events, including the completion of medical forms, code of conduct forms, and forms that permit supervision by their guitar director and certified staff from their school. Guitar directors will be responsible for securing lodging for their participating student(s). (See the All-State Regulations for Participation.)
LIAISON: The KMEA All-State Guitar Orchestra Chairperson will act as the liaison between KMEA and the participating Guitar Directors to coordinate this event. The Chairperson will communicate with participating students and directors, coordinate with the guest conductor, assist with printing the program, monitor rehearsals, oversee participant registration, and so forth. In short, the KASGO Chairperson will be the equivalent of the KMEA All-State Band Chairperson with respect to the duties and responsibilities for All-State Band events.
GOVERNANCE: The KASGO Chair, designated by the KMEA President and Board, will be responsible for the duties, planning, and other necessities related to the establishment of the KASGO. The KMEA Guitar Strategic Planning Committee (KGSPC) will be drawn from KMEA members with active guitar programs in Kentucky and if requested, will assist in the selection of KMEA guitar division leadership. KGSPC members will also actively work to establish supportive relationships with educational organizations at the national level, such as NAfME and the Guitar Foundation of America. Cultivating these affiliations, which includes actively seeking and maintaining representation in such organizations, will help KMEA guitar activities receive additional support, foster a helpful atmosphere of transparency, and most importantly, amplify the strong need to expand, fund, and improve K–12 guitar education at the national level.