2025 LMEA Professional Development Conference – Louisiana Music Educators Association

2025 LMEA Professional Development Conference
January 16-19, 2025
Hilton New Orleans Riverside
2 Poydras Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 561-0500

Our thoughts and prayers are with New Orleans and all those affected by today’s tragedy.

A Note from Lee Hicks, LMEA President:

Dear LMEA Members and Conference Participants:

As we approach the highly anticipated Louisiana Music Educators Association Annual Conference and All-State events, scheduled to take place at the New Orleans Hilton Riverside from January 16-19, 2025, we want to assure you of our commitment to providing a safe and secure environment for all attendees.

We have been working closely with the Hilton New Orleans Riverside and New Orleans & Company to address general safety and security details for this event and this holds even truer today given the recent event. These collaborative efforts are going to include enhanced security measures, on-site personnel, and logistical plans to ensure the well-being of every participant.

The LMEA Annual Conference and All-State events are cornerstones of our organization, showcasing the incredible talent of our students and providing invaluable professional development for educators. Your safety remains our top priority, and we will continue to keep you informed with updates as we finalize preparations.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to music education in Louisiana. We look forward to seeing you in New Orleans for another outstanding conference.

Sincerely,

Lee Hicks, President

Louisiana Music Educators Association

2025 Conference Program		2025 All-State Program

MEET THE PRESENTERS – presenter bios and clinic sessions descriptions

2025 CONFERENCE REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Early Bird Registration is available to LMEA members through December 5, 2024. To register at the member price, you will need your LMEA membership number and expiration date.

Additional information and registration forms will be added soon.

2025 CONFERENCE LETTER TO SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS: Teachers needing a letter of description and support for their administration should download the Letter to School Administrators.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

Important information about the hotel, parking, registration for conference attendees, check-in for students, security measures, and much more

HS & MS ALL-STATE STUDENT REHEARSAL SCHEDULES:

This link takes you to a google folder that holds all rehearsal schedules as well as much of the other conference information. You may download and print pages as needed.

HOTEL and PARKING INFORMATION:

The conference hotel is the Hilton New Orleans Riverside.

Additional rooms are available at the Loews Hotel, one block down Poydras St.

All hotel room blocks are now closed. There may be additional rooms available in either hotel at the regular price.

FEATURED UNIVERSITY PERFORMANCES:

Universities perform on a rotational basis. This year’s featured division performances are by:

UL Jazz Ensemble with special guests, New York Voices
Thursday, January 16th, 7:00 PM in Grand Ballroom B,C,D (1st floor)

Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony
Friday, January 17th, 11:30 AM in Grand Ballroom C,D (1st floor)

University of New Orleans Chorus
Friday, January 17th, 1:00 PM in Grand Salon D (1st floor)

Louisiana Intercollegiate Honor Band
Friday, January 17th, 2:30 PM in Grand Ballroom C,D (1st floor)

LSU Wind Ensemble and A Cappella Choir* – with special guests, Doreen Ketchens, Hila Plitmann, and Frank Ticheli
Friday, January 17th, 7:00 PM in Grand Ballroom B,C,D (1st floor)

Southern University Wind Ensemble
Saturday, January 18th, 7:00 PM in Grand Ballroom C,D (1st floor)

*With our move to New Orleans, LMEA is able to offer additional concert opportunities. This year’s concert will include performances by LSU’s Wind Ensemble and A Cappella Choir.

Beginning with the 2026 conference, these additional concert opportunities will require an application process. More information will be coming soon.

Information needed from all Guest University Performing Ensembles – Please complete this form as soon as possible.

2025 EXHIBITORS – Meet our exhibitors and the maps of their locations

Universities and Commercial Exhibits will be located in The District and St. Charles Ballroom.

Exhibit Times – All Exhibitors:

Friday, January 17		10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday, January 18		9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday, January 19		9:00 am – 11:30 am

Exhibitor Information – exhibiting at LMEA’s conference

AWARDS PRESENTED AT CONFERENCE:

The awards presented each year at the Annual Professional Development Conference are listed below. Only LMEA active members may submit an application or nominate someone.

MEET THE 2025 AWARD RECIPIENTS

LMEA Hall of Fame. This award honors LMEA members, active, retired, or deceased, who have made a significant contribution to music education, LMEA, and are regarded as professional leaders in music education in Louisiana.
Outstanding Young Music Educator. One or more young music educators will be honored with this award. They must have completed at least one, but not more than five years of teaching, and meet the other criteria outlined in the nomination process.
25 Year Service Pin. Directors who have been active LMEA members for 25 years can choose to have an LMEA 25 Year Pin presented to them either before the All-State Band Concert or the All-State Choir Concert.
Tom D. Wafer Outstanding Administrator. An outstanding school principal, assistant principal, superintendent, and/or assistant/associate superintendent who has demonstrated a commitment to high-quality arts education will be honored.
Distinguished Legacy Award. To recognize an individual for lifetime achievement of distinguished service to the profession, supporting the mission and goals of the Louisiana Music Educators Association.
Barbara C. Butler Award of Excellence. This award recognizes quality high school and middle school vocal music programs serving historically disadvantaged student populations.
Robert L. Wilhite Award of Excellence. This award recognizes quality high school and middle school instrumental music programs serving historically disadvantaged student populations.
Choral Standard of Excellence. This award recognizes the results of quality teaching and exemplary performances in Louisiana high school and middle school choral music programs.
Instrumental Standard of Excellence. This award recognizes the results of quality teaching and exemplary performances in Louisiana high school and middle school instrumental music programs.

SUBMITTING A CLINIC SESSION PROPOSAL:

With the larger conference space at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside, we are able to offer Professional Development Sessions in all divisions on the same days. This will increase the variety of pertinent sessions on each day, affording our attendees a greater selection.

Scheduling. If a proposal is accepted, it will be scheduled on either Friday and Saturday, January 17-18, 2025.

COLLEGIATE CALL FOR RESEARCH:

Graduate students, music educators, and other who have completed relative research are invited to submit a proposal to be included in the Research Poster Session at the 2025 LMEA Professional Development Conference.