Also, I never did all state when I was in high school, and it hasn't seemed to hold me back. A really good way to get orchestra experience, though, would be to join a youth orchestra. Living in MD offers you wonderful opportunities to join youth orchestras and get some serious playing done on the weekends over the school year. Three great orchestras I can think off of the top of my head are the Chesapeake Youth Orchestra in Annapolis, The Maryland Youth Symphony Orchestra just outside of Baltimore, and the DC Youth Orchestra Program, located in the district.