All-State Middle School Band

• Students auditioning must be in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade.
• The ensemble director of students auditioning must be a current LMEA member.
• Students auditioning must be enrolled in a Louisiana-accredited school and must be an active member of that school’s ensemble program.
  
• In a situation where there is no ensemble in the school, the student must be enrolled in a Louisiana-accredited school and certified by the eligible music teacher at that school or a private teacher who is an LMEA member.
• Students are eligible for membership in only one All-State group.

Student Information Release Form

• 1st Round – District directors will require students to submit either this form or their specific district’s form for 1st round auditions.
• 2nd Round – No student’s audition recording will be accepted for 2nd Round adjudication without the receipt of this form by the District’s recording date. Follow your District Director’s instructions for submitting the LMEA Student Information Release Form.

The following wind and percussion audition materials will be used at both district level (1st round) and state level (2nd round) auditions.

Students must prepare all of the materials, however selected excerpts (cuts) in the prepared music may be provided by the Band Division Chair and must be performed in their entirety. Do not make additional cuts.

Tryout chairpersons will give scales a weight of 30%, prepared material – 50% (25% for each etude), and sight-reading – 20%. These three areas will determine the total tryout score.

SCALE and RUDIMENT REQUIREMENTS

Winds: Six major scales and the chromatic scale must be played in the order, ranges listed, and with the articulation found on the scale sheets. Be aware of the minimum required tempo. All six (6) major scales are required at both first and second round.

Percussion: There is a 2-year rotation of scales and rudiments. Each set consists of 3 scales for mallets and 4 rudiments for snare.

CHART of MIDDLE SCHOOL SCALES AND RUDIMENTS

SCALE SHEETS for ALL INSTRUMENTS

PREPARED SELECTIONS – There is a 2-year rotation consisting of one slow and one fast selection. Choose the set according to the following rotation.

NOTE: The All-State Middle School Committee is working on updating the Sets to reflect the cuts for Set 1 & to adjust the changes to the etude requirements. The updated information should be available by February 2nd at the latest.

Set 1 – 2024-25 (with cuts) 

Set 2 – 2025-26

SIGHT-READING

Objective – Sight-reading examples should be challenging enough to separate the top few players from those who play only scales and etudes at a high level of proficiency.

• Range-determined by the range required in the chromatic scale.
• Key Signatures-will be chosen from the required major scales.
• Accidentals-will be used, possibly more than once in a measure.
• Tempo marking-will be chosen from a variety of terms including: Largo, Andante, Moderato, Allegretto, Allegro.
• Time Signature-will be chosen from the following: 4/4, 3/4, 2/4.
• Rhythm Patterns-Rhythms and rests may include any of the following: Whole, Dotted Half, Half, Quarter, Eighths, Sixteenth Variations, Eighth Note Triplets.
• Slurs and ties may be used in any combination.
• Dynamics may include: ff, f, mf, mp, p, pp, crescendos, and decrescendos. Percussion parts may also include accents.

SELECTION PROCESS. Each district will determine whether the audition will be an All-State 1st round audition only or combined with a District Honor Band audition.

ORDER OF AUDITION.

SCALES / RUDIMENTS: 6 major scales and a chromatic scale are to be performed first in the audition process. Use of the required order, tempo, and rhythmic pattern is not optional.

• Major Scales: Each person auditioning on a wind instrument will be prepared to perform six major scales during the audition. The scales shall be in concert pitch and be performed in the following order: C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, G, Chromatic. Students may use their music to perform all scales.
  
• Chromatic Scale:  Each student will be required to perform their chromatic scale. Chromatic scales are not in concert pitch. The required range, tempo, and rhythm are given on the scale sheet.
  
• Scoring: The scale portion of the audition must constitute 30% of the total audition score with the major scales weighted at four points each and the chromatic scale at six points. Scales are to be tongued ascending and slurred descending.

PREPARED SELECTIONS (Etudes):

• Music: Each student auditioning on a wind instrument must prepare all audition etudes in their entirety. Selected excerpts (cuts) in the prepared music will be provided by the Band Division Chairperson and should be performed in their entirety. (Districts do not make additional cuts.)
• The student may use his/her own music in the audition.
• The Band Division Chair will determine the order of performance of the etudes.
• Scoring: Prepared materials constitute 50% of the total audition score. Each etude will be scored independently with a maximum of 25% of the total for each etude. The following areas will be considered when scoring each individual etude: Tone, Intonation, Technique, Interpretation, and Musical Effect.

SIGHT-READING:

• Music and Allowed Time:  Each student auditioning on a wind instrument shall be required to perform music at sight. The student will be given an adequate amount of time to examine the music before it is performed. All students will be given the same amount of time and all like instruments shall read the same material.
• Scoring:  The sight-reading score shall constitute 20% of the total audition score. The following areas will be adjudicated when scoring the sight-reading portion of the audition: Technical Accuracy, Tone, Interpretation, and Musical Effect.

TIE BREAKERS:

• The sight-reading score shall be used to break ties in the overall score and ranking. For example, when two students have the same final score, the one with the higher sight-reading score shall be ranked first.
• If the score remains tied, the scale score shall be used to break the tie.
• If the tie remains, it shall be broken with the toss of a coin.

Any student who qualifies and auditions at 2nd round on multiple instruments will declare his/her choice of instrument by rank (1st choice, 2nd choice, etc.) at the conclusion of 1st round auditions. This choice will be noted by the district director on the district allotment quota form.

At the conclusion of each district’s 1st round audition, students will be recommend for the second round (state level) auditions subject to the following quotas.

There will be no “alternates” submitted. The quotas have been increased to allow students who would have previously been “alternates” to now become part of the 2nd round quotas submitted.

All qualifying students must score at least 50% of the top score on their instrument at 1st round.

***Quota information will be added soon.

Quota Sheet: Once your District has completed its 1st round audition and students have been selected to continue to the 2nd round, District Directors should fill out the District Quota Sheet for your District. The quota sheet will be emailed to the District Directors by the Division Chair. Follow the Division Chair’s instructions and deadlines.

DATE and LOCATION: Each district director will schedule the date, time, and location for recording 2nd round auditions in his/her district.

REQUIRED FORMS:

• Student Release of Information Form – this will need to be printed, signed, and turned in to your district. Follow your district’s instructions for submitting this form. Auditions cannot be adjudicated without this form.

AUDITION FEE:

• $15 per audition
• Ensemble directors must follow their District Director’s instructions and deadline for submitting school checks.
• District Directors must confirm that they have received all audition fees and forms by the upload deadline. An audition cannot be adjudicated if the audition fee has not been received.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION:

• The registration information for all students who qualify for 2nd round must be submitted on the Allotments Sheets by the District Director or his/her designee by midnight (date TBA).
• Auditioner information includes: Name, School, Grade, Instrument, All-State Ensemble Preference, T-Shirt Size, Audio Audition File, Verification of receipt of the “Release of Information” Form.
• District Directors will provide instructions on how this information will be submitted.

AUDITION CUTS (PREPARED SELECTIONS): These will be sent to the District Director by the Division Chair and are to be used in all 2nd Round auditions.

SIGHT-READING PROCESS:

• Sight-reading will be emailed to each district director by the band division chairperson.
• District directors should keep these files in strict confidentiality throughout the audition process.
• District directors should print and catalog the sight-reading as needed for distribution to auditioners (during the audition only), judges, and monitors.
• Monitors will return all sight-reading copies to the district director at the conclusion of the audition recording. These copies will be discarded by the district director once he/she has verified that all copies have been returned.

MONITORS and AUDITION:

• All 2nd round auditions will be audio recorded (.mp3 file).
• Each District Director will assign one or more monitors to record the second round audition and certify that each auditioner played the material without any restarts.
• Monitors should be carefully selected by the district director to ensure procedural continuity of the audition. It is recommended that monitors are band directors within each district.
• An audio test of the recorder and room should be done before any auditions begin. Be sure the student will be clearly heard.
  
• The monitor will read the following script at the beginning of the audition/recording to announce and identify each auditioner: 
  “On (Insert Instrument), this is Audition Number (Insert Audition Number).”
• Be sure that the instrument and audition number announced on the recording are accurately entered on the track sheet.
• Monitors should verify that the recording is on the recorder before the auditioner leaves the room (if possible). (This can be done by playing a few seconds of the recording and checking the length of the file on the recorder.)
• Audition restarts will only be allowed if there is a technical issue with the recorder.

TRACK SHEET:

• A track sheet will be shared via Google Sheets to enter the audition information at the “room” level. This includes:  Room Number, Recorder Number, File Name, File Duration, Last Name, First Name, Instrument/Voice, Audition Number.
• The Room Number, Recorder Number, File Name and Audition Number are to be determined by the District Director or his/her designee.
• There should be one track sheet for each room used at the second round audition.

RECORDING EQUIPMENT:

• The recommended recorder is a typical “voice recorder” like those used for adjudicators at large ensemble assessment. District Directors have received information about these recorders.

2nd ROUND AUDITION FILE SUBMISSION PROCEDURE:

• Each district director (or designee) will be responsible for submitting the auditioners’ information and uploading audio audition recordings into the Google form shared by the audition coordinator.
• All student registration information and audition recordings must be submitted by 11:59 pm (date TBA). District Directors will communicate to their district regarding how they want to receive student information – name, school, grade, instrument, All-State ensemble preference, t-shirt size, audio audition file, verification of receipt of the “Student Release of Information Form.”
• Google Drive is one of the easiest and most accessible platforms to use for file sharing. However, some school districts restrict the sharing of files from their school google drives. Files must be accessible to the chairperson to be judged for inclusion in the group. Discussions with your school district’s IT department may be necessary to ensure usage in the All-State audition.

SCORING THE AUDITION and TIE BREAKERS

The process is the same as 1st Round. See “AUDITION PROCESS – ALL INSTRUMENTS (1st Round)” above.

AUDITION RESULTS:  Results will be posted on this website by (date TBA) or as soon as possible once they are finalized for all ensembles requiring wind and percussion players.

• Student Forms:  Important information (including the rehearsal schedule), required forms with instructions, and optional forms can be found under the All-State: Student Forms tab in the menu. Scroll down to the appropriate ensemble’s section.
  
• Hotel Information:  Information can be found under the All-State: Hotel Information tab in the menu.

All-State Rules and Regulations are part of the All-State Entry form and are to be signed by each student, parent, director and principal involved.

Rules and Regulations for LMEA All-State:

1. Teachers are required to screen students who are discipline problems and not allow them to audition.
2. Students are expected to follow their school’s rules while at LMEA All-State.
3. Students must be present and on time for registration, all rehearsals, and any other scheduled All-State events.
4. Students failing to adhere to their LMEA All-State schedules or the rules and regulations are subject to dismissal.
5. Students are responsible for their personal equipment and instruments, including any school instruments or other items checked out to them. LMEA will not assume responsibility for lost, damaged or stolen equipment or instruments.
6. Any student who participates in any type of vandalism will be subject to immediate dismissal. The student and the school will be held responsible for damages.
7. Any student in possession of prescription drugs without a doctor’s prescription, any illegal drugs or other illegal substances, including alcoholic beverages, or who consumes any of these will be subject to immediate dismissal. The parent, director, and administrator will be notified.
8. Students’ teachers are required to be current LMEA members and to register for and be present at the All-State event and Professional Development Conference to ensure students are supervised/chaperoned when not in rehearsals or another scheduled All-State activity.
9. Students and parents are hereby notified that LMEA’s authority and responsibility extends until a student is released to return home.

Consequences and procedures related to the violation of any rules:

1. The student’s principal, director and parents will be immediately notified of any rule violation.
2. A disciplinary committee consisting of the Executive Director, the LMEA President, and the Band, Orchestra, Vocal, Guitar or Jazz Ensemble Chairperson (as pertinent) shall review any disciplinary problems before dismissal from the All-State group is recommended.
3. Any student dismissed (sent home) from an All-State event will be prohibited from participating in any LMEA event for one (1) full year starting from the time of the dismissal.
4. Any school organization whose student (or students) must be dismissed from an LMEA All-State event will be placed on a one-year probation. If a student is dismissed within the probation period, that school organization will be prohibited from participating in LMEA All-State events the following year.
5. Any infraction and subsequent dismissal will be referred to the LMEA Executive Board for resolution and clarification.