All-State High School Band

LMEA sponsors two All-State bands – All-State Symphonic Band, which includes approximately 60 students, and All-State Concert Band, which includes approximately 80 students. Band students are selected as a result of district (1st round) and state (2nd round) auditions.

2025 ALL-STATE SYMPHONIC BAND CLINICIAN: Dr. Dennis Llinás

Dr. Llinás serves as the Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Conducting at the University of Oregon. Previously, he served as an Associate Professor of Music and the Associate Director of Bands at Louisiana State University. His responsibilities included conducting the LSU Symphonic Winds, teaching undergraduate & graduate conducting, and directing the Tiger Band.  Prior to his arrival to LSU, he was completing his graduate studies at The University of Texas at Austin where he was working with every facet of the band program including the Longhorn Marching Band, Basketball Band, wind ensembles, and chamber music.  From 2003 to 2007, Llinás was director of bands at Miami Coral Park Senior High School until he moved to W. Charles Akins High School from 2007 to 2008.
As a composer, Llinás has been commissioned to compose works for musicians from across the country. Waking Dreams and Javier’s Dialog were recorded by Mark Hetzler, trombone professor at The University of Wisconsin, on Summit Records on two separate albums in 2012 and 2014. His compositions and arrangements have also been performed by The University of Texas Wind Ensemble, The University of Texas Men’s and Women’s Chorus, the Dallas Winds, as well as performances by solo artists from The University of Texas, The University of Wisconsin, Furman University, Conservatoire Strasbourg in France, Vanderbilt University, and Huston-Tillotson University.

In the world of marching arts, Llinás is an active arranger/composer/show designer producing competitive marching band and indoor percussion shows for over 50 programs across the nation. Several of his works have been published by Center X Productions and performances of his works can be heard throughout the country including Oklahoma State University, Texas Tech University, The University of Arkansas, Penn State University, Louisiana State University, and The University of Texas at Austin. Several special projects have been commissioned of him by Estefan Enterprises in Miami, FL for the Miami Dolphins and the Florida Marlins, as well as the 2007 Orange Bowl Halftime Production with special guest star from American Idol Taylor Hicks.

He maintains memberships in the Conductors Guild, the College Band Directors National Association, the Texas Music Educators Association, the Golden Key National Honors Society, and the Phi Kappa Phi National Honors Society. His recording credits include projects with The University of Texas at Austin, Summit Records, and Florida International University.

Dr. Llinás received a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Florida International University and both a Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting from The University of Texas at Austin. His primary conducting professors were Roby George and Jerry Junkin.

All-State Program for Symphonic Band:

  • Marche Hongroise – Berlioz/Yo Goto
  • Adoration – Price/Williams
  • Deciduous – Viet Cuong
  • La Chancla – Llinás

2025 ALL-STATE CONCERT BAND CLINICIAN: Amanda Drinkwater

Amanda Drinkwater currently serves as Director of Fine Arts for the Lewisville Independent School District. Lewisville ISD includes 61 campuses designated into five feeder patterns: Flower Mound, Hebron, Lewisville, Marcus, and The Colony High Schools. LISD schools are located within 127 square miles approximately twenty-five miles Northwest of Dallas, Texas. Ms. Drinkwater formerly served twenty-three years as a Texas music educator, with teaching opportunities at Leander High School (1996-2001), The Colony High School (2001-2003), and Marcus High School (2003-2018). She received her academic training at Louisiana State University and at the University of Kansas in Music Education and Instrumental Conducting, respectively. Ms. Drinkwater’s concert bands consistently earned superior division ratings at the University Interscholastic League Concert & Sight-Reading contests. Under her direction, the Marcus Wind Symphony was named a TMEA Honor Band finalist in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2014, and performed as the TMEA 5A Honor Band at the 2015 TMEA Convention in San Antonio, Texas. The Marcus Wind Symphony was a featured ensemble at the Midwest Band and Orchestra clinic in 2007 and 2012 and was recognized five times as a National Wind Band Honors finalist. Ms. Drinkwater’s marching ensembles earned eleven consecutive trips to the 5A/6A Texas State UIL Marching Contest and were consistent Bands of America finalists and recipients of various caption honors.  In 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012 (5A), and 2014 (6A) the Marcus Marching Band earned the UIL Texas State Marching Championship, and in 2016, the group earned third place at the State Marching Band Contest. The program was awarded the John Philip Sousa Foundation Sudler Shield for excellence in marching band performance and the Sudler Flag for excellence in concert band performance in 2008 and 2014 respectively. Ms. Drinkwater was named five times to ‘Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers’, and is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, and the American Bandmasters Association. She has been the recipient of the Music Educators National Conference ‘Excellence in Teaching Music’ Award (2009), the Bayard H. Friedman ‘Hero’ Award for contributions to Music Education in Texas (2011), and the UIL Sponsor of Excellence (2015).

All-State Program for Concert Band: TBA

INFORMATION ABOUT DISTRICT LEVEL (1st ROUND) AUDITIONS

Each of the nine LMEA Districts will hold a district level 1st round qualifying audition to determine the students who will qualify for the 2nd round state level audition. Students must audition in their school’s LMEA district for the 1st round audition.

Date, time, fees, and location for the 1st round audition are set by the District Director for his/her district.

Required Form: 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.

AUDITION CUTS FOR 2024 (ETUDES AND PREPARED SELECTIONS) – These are to be used in all 2nd Round auditions and may also be used in 1st Round auditions.  The cut sheet includes percussion requirements. If you have any questions, check with your District Director.

INFORMATION ABOUT STATE LEVEL (2nd ROUND) AUDITIONS

The format of the Second Round audition is a Live Monitored Audition which will be submitted as an mp3 file. 

  • District directors will verify that teachers of all students participating in these auditions are current members of LMEA.
  • All “2nd round” auditions will be audio recorded by the District Director or his/her designee(s) and submitted as an mp3 file to the Division Chair for adjudication.
  • The date, time, and location will be set by the district, but must adhere to the current year’s state deadlines.

DEADLINES for 2024-25:

  • District Deadlines – District Directors will provide procedural information and set the deadline for receiving checks and student information from schools in their district. This deadline may be before the state’s deadline.
  • Saturday, October 5, 2024 – Deadline for completion of all 2nd round auditions and the receipt of all student registrations and audition fees by the district director or his/her designee.
  • Monday, October 14, 2024 (by 11:59 pm) – Results for the All-State Bands and Orchestra Winds will be posted online. Check ALL lists. Registration forms for students selected to an ensemble will be opened once rosters are posted.

AUDITION CUTS FOR 2024 (ETUDES AND PREPARED SELECTIONS) – These cuts are for wind and percussion players and must be used in all state level (2nd round) auditions. If you have any questions, check with your District Director.

AUDITION RESULTS

  • Results will be posted on this website by Monday, October 14, 2024 (11:59 pm) or as soon as possible once they are finalized for all ensembles requiring wind and percussion players.
  • Check results for Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and Orchestra Winds.

INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS SELECTED TO AN ALL-STATE ENSEMBLE

LOCATION, DEADLINES, FEES

  • Location – Hilton New Orleans Riverside (all rehearsals and concerts)
  • Registration Fees – $205
  • Deadline – Saturday, November 2, 2024 by 11:59pm (All-State registration form, All-State permission form, fees, and if applicable, LMEA Academic Award form)

LMEA is working hard to provide the highest quality All-State experience. All ensembles will rehearse and perform under the leadership of a nationally-celebrated director. Evening concerts will feature Louisiana universities as well as guest artists from around the country.

The registration fee covers rehearsal and performance related expenses, music, an All-State patch, All-State t-shirt, and the LMEA Academic Award (if applicable).

All students will be served a buffet style dinner each night, which will include a fresh salad, hearty main course, two sides, dessert, and beverage. Special meal options will be provided for students with food allergies or dietary restrictions.

Students are on their own for lunch and breakfast. They may take advantage of food options within the Hilton. For lunch, students may choose to eat in the food court of the Riverwalk Outlet, which adjoins the Hilton Riverside. Multiple fast-food options are available and lunch breaks will be staggered to help alleviate crowds.


DONATIONS
Links to information and ways to help support Louisiana’s talented LMEA All-State students can be found below. Join us as we celebrate their hard work and dedication, and this prestigious achievement.

Donation LetterA downloadable Word doc with suggested modifications that teachers can customize to fit each student’s situation

FAQ Sheet Detailed information on how to support Louisiana’s talented young musicians cover their All-State expenses (registration and evening meals only) by donating to students through LMEA’s portal

Donation Form/LMEA PortalTo donate to a specific student(s), school(s), or All-State ensemble events


SCHEDULE


STUDENT ALL-STATE REGISTRATION FORMS

  • Student Forms – Important registration information, required forms, and optional forms.
  • Academic Award Form (OPTIONAL) – A student who has a verified cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher must upload the verified academic award form when completing the online All-State Student Registration Form. (Only 10th, 11th, and 12th graders are eligible for this award.) The deadline is the same as the “registration due” deadline.

HOTEL INFORMATION: (Information can also be found under the Conference tab in the menu.)