All-State Middle School Jazz Ensemble

Under Robert’s leadership, the Gulliver Prep Jazz Band has achieved remarkable success. They have been recognized with “Outstanding Performance” Awards from DownBeat Magazine for three consecutive years (2019-2021). Additionally, the band had the honor of performing at the prestigious 71st Midwest Band Clinic in 2017 and was invited to perform at JEN the same year, solidifying their reputation as a top-tier ensemble.The Gulliver Prep bands, under Robert’s guidance, have consistently received Superior ratings at the Florida Bandmasters Association’s music performance assessments for the past three decades, a testament to his dedication to excellence in music education.

Robert attended the University of Southern Mississippi, and received his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of South Alabama where he studied conducting under the direction of Dr. Joe Barry Mullins. He completed his Master of Music degree from the University of Miami Frost School of Music, while he was the trumpet graduate assistant to Gilbert Johnson.

Beyond his role as a music educator, Robert Keating is an accomplished freelance musician in the South Florida area. He has held positions in esteemed orchestras and ensembles such as the Miami Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Miami, Miami City Ballet, Florida Grand Opera, Brass Miami, and the Miami Brass Quintet. He has also showcased his versatility by performing with renowned Latin bands including Orquesta Inmensidad, Grupo Chevere, and Celia Cruz.

In his leisure time, Robert enjoys boating, fishing, spending quality time with family and friends, and exploring his culinary skills through cooking.

• Students auditioning must be in 6^th – 8^th 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 instrumental ensemble program.
  
• In a situation where there is no instrumental program 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 must audition in their school’s LMEA district.
• Students are eligible for membership in only one All-State ensemble.
• District directors will verify that teachers of all students participating in these auditions are current members of LMEA.

AUDITION DATE AND LOCATION. The date, time, and location will be set by the district to allow enough time to have all audition recordings and registration information uploaded by the state deadline (11:59 pm).

AUDITION FEE:

• $15 per audition
• Ensemble directors should follow their District Director’s instructions and deadline for submitting school checks.
  Note: Audition fees must be received before an audition will be recorded.
  
• Each District Director will submit a single district check (made out to LMEA) to the Audition Chair for all jazz audition entries from their district.
• District Directors must confirm with the Jazz Division Chair that they have received all audition fees by the deadline before submitting audition recordings. An audition cannot be adjudicated if the audition fee has not been received.
• The current year’s deadline for submitting all audition recordings, registrations, and fees is TBA (11:59 pm).

MULTIPLE INSTRUMENTS.  Students may audition on more than one instrument, but must submit the audition fee and a separate registration for each instrument. 

• Student Release of Information Form – this will need to be printed, signed, and must be turned in to your district. Follow your district’s instructions for submitting this form. Auditions cannot be adjudicated without this form.
• Registration – the information for all students auditioning must be submitted by the District Director or the District’s designee to the state Jazz Chair by midnight (date TBA). Students and their directors must follow their district’s instructions and deadlines for submitting this information.
• The link to a Google form will be sent to the District Director by the Division Chair. District Directors will communicate to their district regarding how they want to receive student information. This information includes: Name, School, Grade, Instrument, All-State Ensemble Preference, T-Shirt Size, Audio Audition File, Verification of receipt of the “Student Release of Information Form.”
• 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.
• Students selected to the All-State Middle School Jazz Ensemble are not eligible for membership in any other All-State ensemble due to conflicts in the registration, rehearsal, and/or performance schedules of the other ensembles.

The audition includes scales, prepared material, and sight-reading. All audition materials, including rehearsal and audition tracks, have been written/recorded for LMEA and are available for download from this site.

Scales – Selected major scales will be required for the audition. A copy of the scale sheet for each instrument can be downloaded from the LMEA website’s All-State Middle School Jazz Ensemble page (found in the current year’s “set” materials).

          Alto Sax 
          Tenor Sax 
          Baritone Sax
          Trumpet
          Trombone
          Guitar
          String Bass
          Piano

Prepared Material – There is a 3-year rotation cycle of prepared materials that have been written for the LMEA Middle School All-State Jazz Ensemble auditions. All audition materials, including rehearsal tracks, can be found on the LMEA website. They have been written/recorded for LMEA and are available for download from this site. 

3-year Rotation of Scales, Prepared Materials, and Practice Tracks:

Guitar Reference Sheet

Set I – 2024-25
    Etude 1 (Swing) – Music and Practice Tracks
    Etude 2 (Straight Eighths) – Music and Practice Tracks
Set II – 2025-26
    Etude 1 (Swing) – Music and Practice Tracks
    Etude 2 (Straight Eighths) – Music and Practice Tracks
Set III – 2026-27
    Etude 1 (Swing) – Music and Practice Tracks
    Etude 2 (Straight Eighths) – Music and Practice Tracks

Sight-Reading – Students will sight-read a short selection as part of their All-State Middle School Jazz Ensemble audition.

MONITORS and AUDITION:

• All LMEA Middle School All-State Jazz Ensemble auditions will be audio recorded (.mp3 file).
• 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. 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 to ensure a proper balance between student and the accompaniment track. Be sure the student will be clearly heard.
• The monitor will read the following script 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.
• Each recorded audition must be unedited and made in one single file – do not dub any portion of the audition. Violations of this may cause the audition to not be considered for the LMEA Middle School All-State Jazz Ensemble.
  

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

• 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.

OFFICIAL AUDITION RECORDING PLAY-ALONG TRACK:
These tracks must be used when recording the audition.

      Set I – 2024-25
     
      Set II – 2025-26
     
      Set III – 2026-27

AUDITION INSTRUCTIONS and ORDER:

All students auditioning are REQUIRED to play along with this year’s LMEA All-State Jazz Official Audition Play-Along Track for their instrument. Be sure you have the correct recording for the current year.

1. Start the LMEA Middle School All-State Jazz Audition Play-Along Recording Track and the recorder.
   
2. Identification Information:  The monitor will read the student identification script (see above).
3. Scales:  The student will then be prompted to play the scales on the current set’s scale sheet (in the printed order). There will be no more than 3 minutes of silence for playing the required scales. Scales with an * should be swung. (If there is extra time, a student may replay a scale, but we highly recommend having them memorized and correct the first time you play it, but if a key/valve sticks or there is another issue please feel free to replay a scale.)
4. Prepared Selections:  The student will be prompted to play the prepared selections. They will be played in this order: Swing, Straight Eighth. The background tracks for all four prepared selections are on the Audition Play-Along Track.
5. Sight Reading:  The student will then be prompted to play the sight reading excerpt. There are 30-seconds allotted for the student to look over the sight reading, after which they will play the excerpt one time from beginning to end.
   

AUDITION FILE SUBMISSION PROCEDURE:

• Each district director (or designee) will be responsible for submitting the auditioner’s information and uploading audio files (.mp3 files only) into the Google form provided by the audition coordinator by current year’s state’s current deadline (11:59 pm).
• Links will be sent to the District Director by the Division Chair.
• 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.

 TIP FOR STUDENTS:

• We HIGHLY recommend that ALL students auditioning for the LMEA Middle School All-State Jazz Ensemble practice the audition with the LMEA Middle School All-State Jazz Audition Track to get comfortable with the timing and play-along recordings for each prepared selection.

A student interested in performing as vocalist with the All-State Middle School Jazz Ensemble must submit a recording of a performance singing with a jazz big band, jazz rhythm section, or backing track to the district’s District Director or Jazz Chair by the audition date. This will be submitted to the LMEA Jazz Division Chair with the district’s other audition recordings for adjudication.

Any student vocalists auditioning must meet all eligibility requirements. They must also submit the audition fee, audition registration form, and student information release form to their district’s District Director or Jazz Chair (as designated by the district) by the district’s due date. Links to the student information release form can be found above under “FORMS REQUIRED FOR AUDITION.” Follow your district’s instructions for the registration form.

Each student is to provide his/her own equipment for auditions. The only exception is the piano. However, check with your district director or jazz chair as available equipment may vary by district.

• The official results will be posted on the LMEA website on (TBA) after 7:00 pm for students who were selected to the All-State Middle School Jazz Ensemble (and listed jazz as their first choice).
• Music for the All-State Middle School Jazz Ensemble will be distributed to the selected musicians by their LMEA District Director, their LMEA District’s Jazz Chair, or directly through their band director.
• Students selected to the All-State Middle School Jazz Ensemble will need to register for the All-State event.

• Student Forms:  Important information (including the rehearsal schedule), required forms with instructions, and optional forms can be found by clicking on the All-State -> Student Forms: All-State tab in the menu. Scroll down to the All-State Jazz Ensemble section.
  
• Hotel Information:  Information can be found under the All-State -> Hotel Information: All-State 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.