lyublovalt asked: Which state are you guys in? I'm in New York and it isn't a waste of time here. Apparently it's tons of fun and a great excuse to get out of homework for a couple days. :)

Answer:

Well, we’re both in CYSO so you can figure that out from there ha.  Yeah, I’ve heard lots of good things about NYSSMA and how it’s really tough.  Our state conference has played worse and worse music every year and isn’t worth going to, most good musicians we know don’t even audition for it.  Some of the district levels are really good (such as north Chicago suburbs and West) but some are horrible (Chicago area).