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Band & Choir

The All-Ohio State Fair Band and All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir feature the talents of high school instrumentalists and vocalists from more than 125 high schools from many of Ohio’s 88 counties. Members are traditionally chosen through an online application and recommendation process that takes place between February 1 and March 31. The application has been extended to April 15 for 2025.

Each summer, members convene for rehearsals at the Ohio Expo Center & State Fair just days before the opening of the Fair and they go on to perform close to 90 concerts for several hundred thousand fairgoers. The ensembles’ distinguished and experienced staff is comprised of musicians and educators who strive to provide outstanding direction and supervision to each member. During their stay at the Ohio State Fair, members work with peers who share similar interests who develop friendships that last a lifetime. This experience is unique to Ohio as we are the only state fair in the country to present such an opportunity to our youth.

This year, the Band and Choir will continue their traditions of musical excellence at The Ohio State Fair. Applications are open through April 15 for all eligible high school instrumentalists and vocalists. Click below for more information and to apply for the All-Ohio State Fair Band or All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir.

All-Ohio State Fair Band
Information & Application

All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir
Information & Application

The videos on this page share highlights from a past Ohio State Fair over several days of rehearsals, many concerts, amazing musical experiences, team building, and entertaining hundreds of thousands of fairgoers.

All-Ohio State Fair Band

The All-Ohio State Fair Band has been a featured attraction at the Ohio State Fair since 1925 and will be celebrating its centennial over the next two years! Millions of fairgoers have experienced the thrill of hearing the band conclude each concert with an exciting performance of John Philip Sousa’s “The Stars and Stripes Forever.”

Participation in the All-Ohio State Fair Band is a unique musical and social experience. The traditional 14-day experience offers valuable opportunity to perform more than 65 pieces of varied band literature including pieces that have appeared on the OMEA Large Group music list. Performances take place in numerous State Fair venues and include both traditional concert and marching concerts. Membership is determined by student ability, instrumentation needs of the band and geographical consideration.

For more information about the All-Ohio State Fair Band please view the video below and visit www.aosfb.com.

All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir

The All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir was founded in 1963 and was organized to provide Ohio’s high school vocalists an opportunity to share their talents with a statewide audience at The Ohio State Fair. The Youth Choir has been a mainstay at the Fair entertaining and enriching the lives of millions of fairgoers over the years.

The members of The All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir are traditionally selected each spring on the basis of their ability and experience, the recommendation of their high school choral director, geographical considerations as well as the consent and support of their parent or guardian. Five days before the opening of the Ohio State Fair, the new choir meets at the Ohio Expo Center and State Fair in Columbus and launches into a rigorous schedule that includes vocal training, vocal health sessions, sectional and full rehearsals, solo auditions, and marching instruction. Once the fair opens, the Youth Choir sings six to eight concerts a day and marches to various performance sites around the 360-acre fairgrounds.

For more information about the All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir please view the video below and visit www.aosfyc.org.