All-State High School Jazz Ensemble

Rich has been touring this country and abroad with the Byron Stripling Quartet for the past five years. His new CD entitled “Trio Generations” was released in May of 2012 on Origin Records. It was included on the long list for two Grammys. His new CD entitled “Less is More” was recorded with trumpet sensation Terell Stafford, pianist Gary Versace, and bassist Jeff Campbell and was released in March of 2013 on Origin Records also. In 2016 Rich recorded “Have Trumpet Will Swing” w/the Bryon Stripling Quartet and in 2017 “I Believe in You” by the group Triocity was released. Triocity features multi- saxophonist/reedman Charles Pillow and bassist Jeff Campbell.

Rich performs regularly with numerous symphonies in the U.S. and Canada, the world renowned “Jazz Cruise” and clubs throughout the U.S. and Europe with the Byron Stripling quartet.   His clinics and performances have taken him as far as France, Thailand, Japan, Switzerland and Newfoundland. Rich has written four drum set books published by Kendor Music USA and Advance/Schott Music-Germany. Visit Rich on his website to listen to clips or watch a video of his trio at the Rochester International Jazz Festival.

• Students auditioning must be in 9^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 instrumental ensemble 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 instrumental program in the 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 recording the guitar 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 should follow their District Director’s instructions and deadline for submitting school checks.
• 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 recordings and registration forms must be uploaded via the Google form by 11:59 pm on Monday, October 7, 2024 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.

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

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 – Required scales include selected blues, major, chromatic, and “other” scales. There is a 2-year rotation of scales that corresponds to the 4-year rotation of audition materials. A copy of the scale sheet for each instrument can be downloaded from the LMEA website’s All-State Jazz Ensemble page (found in the current year’s “set” materials).

Prepared Material – There is a 4-year rotation cycle of prepared materials that have been written for the LMEA All-State 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. 

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

Set I – 2024-25
Set II – 2025-26
Set III – 2026-27
Set IV – 2027-28

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

• Sight-reading will be sent to each district director by the jazz division chairperson as .pdf files via email.
• 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 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 All-State Jazz Band. 

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 – 2021-22
      Set III – 2022-23
      Set IV – 2023-24

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 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:  Student will be prompted to play the prepared selections. They will be played in this order: Up Temp Swing, Medium Swing, Alternate Style, Blues. 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 All-State Jazz Ensemble practice the audition with the LMEA All-State Jazz Audition Track to get comfortable with the timing and play-along recordings for each prepared selection.

SCORING THE AUDITION – All instruments except drums

• 12 Scales – 1 point each
• Chromatic Scale – 3 points
• 4 Etudes – 20 points each
• Sight-Reading – 5 points

SCORING THE AUDITION – Drums

• 4 Etudes – 20 points each
• Solo – 15 points
• Sight-Reading – 5 points

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 (solo score for drums) shall be used to break the tie.
• If the tie remains, it shall be broken with the toss of a coin.

A student interested in performing as vocalist with the All-State 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.

• Audition Results: Results will be posted on this website as soon as possible once they are finalized for all ensembles. For 2024-25, results will be posted on Monday, October 14, 2024 after 7:00 pm.
• Ranking Scores:  At the completion of the adjudication process, students will be ranked according to their final scores.
• Tie Breaker: Any ties will be broken by the scale score. If the tie remains, it shall be broken with the toss of a coin.
• Event Registration: Students selected to the All-State Guitar Ensemble will need to register for the All-State event.

All-State Rules and Regulations are part of the All-State School and Emergency Permission 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 schedule 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. Parents or a designated chaperone are responsible for students when they are not in a rehearsal or at an LMEA sponsored event.

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, Handbell, 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.