• Students auditioning must be in 7^th – 12^th grade.
• Students auditioning must be enrolled in a Louisiana-accredited high school and must be an active member of that school’s Cajun/Zydeco program. Click for a list of Nonpublic Accredited Approved Schools 2024-25. Students’ ensemble directors must be current full LMEA members.
• In a situation where there is no Cajun/Zydeco ensemble in a school, the student must be enrolled in a Louisiana-accredited high school and certified by the eligible music teacher at that school or a private teacher who is an LMEA member.
• District directors will verify that teachers of all students participating in these auditions are current members of LMEA.
• Students are eligible for membership in only one All-State ensemble.

DATE and LOCATION: Each district director will schedule the date, time, and location for video recording the Cajun/Zydeco auditions in his/her district.

STUDENT RELEASE OF INFORMATION FORM – this form will need to be printed, signed, and submitted to your District Director. Follow your his/her instructions for submitting it. Auditions cannot be adjudicated without this form. 

AUDITION FEE and REGISTRATION:

• $15 per audition
• Ensemble directors must follow their District Director’s instructions and deadline for submitting school checks and registration information.
• District Directors must confirm the receipt of all audition fees and forms by the date the audition files are uploaded. An audition cannot be adjudicated if the audition fee has not been received.
  
• All auditioner information will be submitted by the District Director or his/her designee. This includes: Name, School, Grade, Instrument or Voice, All-State Ensemble preference, T-Shirt Size, Audio audition file, Verification of receipt of the “Release of Information” Form.
  
• All audition videos and registration forms must be uploaded via the Google form by 11:59 pm on Monday, October 13, 2025 by the District Director or his/her designee. (Links will be sent to the District Director.)
• Students auditioning for more than one ensemble must indicate their preference of ensembles when their audition registration information is submitted. This information will be used should he/she be selected to participate in more than one of this year’s LMEA All-State ensembles.

The audition includes two (2) required selections from the official playlist: one waltz and one two-step that demonstrate various techniques and abilities.

Accordion 

• Students may audition on diatonic (10-button), triple row, or piano accordion. All types are welcome. 
• Perform two required selections from the official playlist: one waltz and one two-step. ● Choose tunes that highlight both your melody playing and your ability to accompany using chords and bass-side. 
• Demonstrate your ability to play the melody clearly, adding embellishments where appropriate. 
• Fiddle and accordion students must sing one verse of their selected song in French on their video submission. Accompaniment may be provided by seconding on fiddle or chords and bass on accordion.

Fiddle 

• Perform two required selections from the official playlist: one waltz and one two-step. ● Play the melody clearly and demonstrate your ability to accompany the lead or vocals by seconding. 
• Fiddle and accordion students must sing one verse of their selected song in French on their video submission. Accompaniment may be provided by seconding on fiddle or chords and bass on accordion.

Rhythm Guitar 

• Students must record themselves accompanying two required selections from the official playlist: one waltz and one two-step, using the provided playlist recordings.
• Use strumming patterns that reflect traditional waltz and two-step grooves with common Cajun and Zydeco chord shapes. 
• Each performance should be approximately one minute; playing the entire song is not necessary. 
• Ensure your strumming hand is visible in the video. 
• Singing in French is encouraged, but is optional and will not affect your score.

Lead Guitar / Keyboard

• Select one two-step and one waltz from the official playlist. 
• Record yourself playing along with the provided playlist recordings. 
• Demonstrate your ability to accompany the verse and melodies with appropriate strumming patterns and dynamics. 
• Perform the melodies of your selected tunes. 
• Improvise in a traditional Cajun/Zydeco style where appropriate.

Bass 

• Select one two-step and one waltz from the official playlist. 
• Record yourself playing along with the provided playlist recordings. 
• Demonstrate appropriate tone and articulation techniques. 
• Demonstrate appropriate style (Root / 5th / Walking etc). 
• Ensure your hands and instrument are clearly visible in the video. 

Percussion 

Drumset 

• Begin your video with a brief demonstration of your knowledge of fundamental Cajun and Zydeco beat patterns: two-step, waltz etc. 
• Select one two-step and one waltz from the official playlist to accompany ● Record approximately 1 minute of yourself performing with each selected track using the provided playlist recordings. 

Frottoir / T’fer (Rubboard) / Triangle) 

• Begin your video with a brief demonstration of traditional Cajun and Zydeco rhythms, including waltz and two-step patterns on both instruments. 
• Select one two-step and one waltz from the official playlist to accompany ● Record approximately 1 minute of yourself performing with each selected track using the provided playlist recordings 
• Demonstrate rhythmic creativity while maintaining a strong, steady groove ● Ensure your instrument and hands are clearly visible in the video.

Audition Set Rotation

• Set 1 – 2024-25
  
• Set 2 – 2025-26
• Set 3 – 2026-27
  
• Set 4 – 2027-28

There is a single audition, recorded at the district level, for All-State Cajun/ZydecoEnsemble.

MONITORS and AUDITION:

• All Cajun/Zydeco auditions will be video recorded (.mp4 file) as ringing technique is critical.
• Each District Director will assign one or more monitors to record the 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.
• An audio test of the recorder and room should be done before any auditions begin. Be sure the student will be clearly heard.
• 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.
• Each recorded audition must be unedited and made in one single file – do not dub any portion of the audition.

AUDITION INSTRUCTIONS and ORDER:

1. Start the recording.
2. Identification Information: The monitor will read the following script to announce and identify each auditioner: 
   “For Cajun/Zydeco, this is Audition Number (Insert Audition Number).”
3. Exercises: The student will perform the current set’s exercises as written.

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 audition.

RECORDING EQUIPMENT

• If a traditional video recorder is not available, a cell phone may be used as long as the file is submitted as an mp4 file. District Directors have received information about these recorders.

AUDITION FILE SUBMISSION PROCEDURE:

• Each district director (or designee) will be responsible for submitting auditioners’ information and uploading all audio audition recordings (.mp4 files only) into the Google form provided by the audition coordinator.
• All student registration information and audition recordings must be submitted by Monday, October 13, 2025 (11:59 pm). 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.

• Adjudication: The judges (music educators from around the country with Cajun/Zydeco programs in their schools) will assess audition performances based on technique, tone/timbre/balance, interpretation, accuracy, and other general performance factors. (See attached rubric)
• Audition Results: Results will be posted on this website as soon as possible once they are finalized for all ensembles. The results will be posted on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 (11:59 pm).
• Ranking Scores:  At the completion of the adjudication process, students will be ranked according to their final scores.
• Number of Performers: TBD
• Event Registration: Students selected to the All-State Cajun/Zydeco Ensemble will need to register for the All-State event.