What is the AOSFB, who makes up the staff, and how are members chosen?

The All-Ohio State Fair Band has been a featured attraction at the annual Ohio State Fair since 1925.  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 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. 
 
The Band’s distinguished and experienced staff is comprised of musicians and educators who strive to provide an outstanding direction and supervision to each member. During their stay at the Ohio State Fair, members work with peers who share similar interests.  These relationships develop into friendships that last a lifetime.
 
Individuals apply for membership in the All-Ohio State Fair Band through an online process at www.aosfb.com. Upon submission of the online application each parent/guardian will receive an email with a link to the parent consent form and each band director will receive an email and link to the recommendation form.  The application period is from February 1 through March 31, 2022 (and extended to May 15) and all parent and band director forms must be submitted online by April 10, 2022.
 
Membership is determined by student proficiency, instrumentation needs of the band, and geographical considerations.   All instruments are needed, including oboe, bassoon, Sousaphone and French horn.

What are the dates for 2022?

Band members arrive beginning at 8:30 am on Saturday, July 23 at The Ohio Expo Center & State Fair in Columbus and are expected to participate through 5:30 pm on Saturday, August 6.  There is an optional extra day for selected members on August 7. 
Only those available for the entire range of dates from July 23-August 6 should apply.

Who can apply for the AOSFB?

Instrumentalists who are currently in the 9th - 11th grades are eligible to apply for membership.
Only 12th graders who were members of the AOSFB in 2019 and/or 2020 and/or 2021 may apply. 
Each applicant must have the endorsement and recommendation of his/her school instrumental director and receive permission from a parent/guardian.

How much does it cost and is there a membership fee?

Because of the generosity of the State of Ohio and the Ohio Exposition Commission, our membership fees are significantly lower than any other residential summer arts camp. 2022 Membership Fees are listed below:

• New Members​ (this includes 3 uniform shirts & 2 uniform shorts; for all members that do not already have the white shirt/blue shorts uniform and backpack.)
  • ​$145
• There are no fees for returning Members but all members must still have a fitting uniform in good condition from 2019!

Students bring varying amounts of personal spending money each year to use while the Fair is open.  All other costs (including meals, lodging, etc.) are underwritten by the State of Ohio and the Ohio Expositions Commission.  By comparison, similar residential music camps can cost participants upwards of $750+!  

Limited financial assistance is available; applications for need-based financial assistance will be made available when acceptance information is sent out. The only required costs to players are transportation to and from Columbus, uniform items purchased from the AOSFB which are approximately $145, owning all white tennis shoes and socks and any spending money.  

Is financial assistance and/or scholarships available?

A limited amount of financial assistance is available.  Information about applying for assistance may be requested after being accepted in the AOSFB.  There are a few questions that the applicant must answer to determine eligibility for assistance.  The member must usually pay a minimum of $40-$50 for uniform items.

Three scholarship awards are available:

• Ohio State Fair Hall of Fame Scholarship for a member attending Ohio State this coming fall.
• The All-Ohio State Fair Band Alumni Association presented to a graduating member of the AOSFB.
• The O'Lear Family Scholarship for someone attending the school of music at Youngstown State University.

Where do we live during the Ohio State Fair?

The 200 Band members live on site at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus and are housed in the Rhodes Center complex. Students are under capable, experienced adult leadership night and day.  Each day, three balanced meals are provided to singers in the Rhodes Center cafeteria at no charge.

Sleeping arrangements are in barrack-style dormitories.  The health and safety of the students entrusted to us is our highest priority.  While COVID-19 protocols will necessarily be adjusted as the pandemic progresses (and hopefully improves), we will be limiting the size of the Band in 2022 to allow for distancing within the dorms.  Masking is welcome.  Updated COVID-19 protocols will be shared upon acceptance and will continuously be reviewed.

What information should I have ready before starting the application process?

The free online application can be accessed through the link at the bottom of this page.  Before beginning the application process, be sure to have all of your personal contact information, your parent/guardian's phone number and valid e-mail address and your school choral director's valid e-mail address.

The majority of incomplete applications are the result of mistyped/misspelled email addresses for the youth, parent/guardian and/or the music educator reference.  Be sure you have the correct information and type them in correctly
​
​You must have a valid e-mail address to apply.  All official correspondence related to your application, including invitations to join the 2022 Band, will be sent to the e-mail address you provide.  Check it regularly!  Be sure that you set your spam filter to accept messages from aosfb@aosfb.com as well e.gallagher@expo.ohio.gov.  Check your junk/spam folder often!​

Your school band director will receive an e-mail at the address you provide in the application.  This e-mail will include a link to the online director recommendation form.  This form must be completed within two weeks of your application.

When is the application deadline?

The deadline for applying to the 2022 All-Ohio State Fair Band is March 31, 2022.

​All parent and director forms must be completed within two weeks of your application being submitted.

When will I be notified of the AOSFB membership decisions?

Applicants will be notified of their application status and/or acceptance on or before ​April 20, 2022.  Some notification may be earlier for applicants with complete applications early in the process.

COVID-10 related questions

NOTE: The answers below reflect the current policies as of writing.  Many policies are still under development in consultation with the Ohio State Fair.  COVID-19-related policies will be under constant review with relevant changes/updates being shared at the time of acceptance and thereafter.

Is a vaccine required for participation?
While the vaccination is highly recommended by public health officials, COVID-19 vaccination is not required to participate in the Band. Likewise, vaccines are not required of anyone attending the Ohio State Fair.

What is the masking policy for participants?
While masking is highly recommended by public health officials, masks are not required to participate in the Band.  Any student wishing to wear a mask at any time (in the dorm, during a performance, etc.) is encouraged to do so.  Any guidelines for masks chosen to be worn during performances will be shared upon acceptance.

What about social distancing?
Social distancing is certainly encouraged at all times during the Fair.  The AOSFB is limiting the number of participants in 2022 to aid in distancing while in the dorms and in formation  during performances.

Will proof of vaccination or a negative test be required at registration on July 21?
The AOSFB is currently working with the Ohio State Fair to develop COVID-19 policies that prioritize the health and safety of our students while abiding by state guidelines.  Testing policies before and during the Fair will be announced upon acceptance.  COVID-19-related policies will be under constant review with relevant changes/updates being shared at the time of acceptance and thereafter.

Anything else?
We continue to closely monitor the status of the pandemic. At the time of acceptance, we will release updated protocols and processes to ensure a healthy and safe environment for the students while abiding by State of Ohio and Ohio State Fair policies at that time. We are looking forward to resuming most of our traditional AOSFB activities this summer with health protocols in place.

Before going to the application be prepared to provide all of the information listed below on your online application.

Applications are available only online.

Accurate and active e-mail addresses for you, your parent/guardian
and your band director are essential.

Band members are expected to be at The Fair from July 23-August 6 to participate fully participate.  We understand that emergencies arise.
We are flexible on the needs of members who may take no more than 24 hours away. 
These arrangements and challenges should be mentioned during the application process and upon acceptance.

Click here to Apply for the 2022 AOSFB

Information about you:
Name
Date of birth
Address
Phone (1 number is required)
e-mail (This is where all official application correspondence will be sent!)
Grade in school at the time of completing the application
Instrument:
   music experience
   music awards
   information about participation in OMEA solo & ensemble contest
   private music teacher (if applicable)
   instrumental proficiency
Other interests,
Alumni information (for those that have been members of the AOSFB)
Family members who have been members of the AOSFB

Information about your parent/guardian:
Name
mail (A link to the consent form will be sent to this address, which must be different from your e-mail address.)
Phone
Address (if different from your address)
Information about your school:
School name
County
Zip code
Information about your school music director/teacher:
Name
e-mail (A link to the recommendation form will be sent to this address.)

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Limited financial assistance is available. Info available after members are accepted.

​There are three Scholarship Awards available to current 12th graders
AOSFB Alumni Scholarship
Ohio State Fair Hall of Fame Scholarship for an individual attending Ohio State in Fall 2020
The O'Lear Family Musical Scholarship at Dana School of Music at Youngstown State

NEW member applicants will receive electronic & mailed status information by April 15

Returning member application process for 2020:
* Applications received by February 15  will be emailed their status by February 29.
* Applications received by March 1 will be emailed their status by March 15.
* Applications received by March  15  will be emailed their status by March 25.

If you have questions about the application or have challenges
Contact: Ed Gallagher, Director of Operations at E.Gallagher@expo.ohio.gov

Click here to Apply for the 2020 AOSFB