All-State High School Orchestra

2025 ALL-STATE ORCHESTRA CLINICIAN: Douglas Droste

Conductor Douglas Droste is recognized as possessing “obvious joy” for making music and a “sure sense of timing” when on the podium. Those under his baton routinely acknowledge his in-depth interpretations, keen sense of communication, and personable ability to empower musicians.

Droste’s guest conducting appearances include the INSO-Lviv Symphony Orchestra (Ukraine), and the orchestras of Kansas City, Indianapolis, Columbus, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Midland-Odessa, Fox Valley (IL), Chappaqua (NY), and the Amarillo Virtuosi. Equally at home in the pit, he has conducted over 30 productions of opera, ballet, and musical theatre. Droste has also led eclectic shows with artists such as Black Violin, Ben Folds, The Flaming Lips, Pink Martini, Michael Cavanaugh, Time for Three, Christian Howes, and Disney’s All-American College Orchestra Alumni, among others. He previously served as Artistic Director of the Muncie Symphony Orchestra, where he was praised for dynamic performances, innovative programming, and his rapport with musicians and community.

A dedicated teacher, Droste is Director of Orchestral Studies at Baldwin Wallace University Conservatory of Music, where he conducts the Baldwin Wallace Symphony Orchestra and teaches conducting. He regularly programs traditional repertoire, works by underrepresented composers, as well as new music by the composers of today. He also seeks unique collaborations and projects, such as Ron McCurdy’s Langston Hughes Project, sensory friendly concerts for children with special needs, and a recording with Tony Award winner Sutton Foster, “Take Me to the World,” on the Ghostlight label.

As an advocate of music education, Droste has conducted numerous all-state orchestras, as well as the Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall and Sydney Opera House, Let Music Live Festival at the Vienna Musikverein and Rodolfinum in Prague, Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute, French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts, and an upcoming engagement with the Music for All Honor Orchestra of America. He is also active as a clinician and adjudicator, including Festival Disney, ASTA’s National Orchestra Festival, MCP at Carnegie Hall, and the Music for All National Festival. Droste is a Yamaha Artist and Master Educator.

A talented violinist, Droste has performed with the orchestras of Canton, Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Nashville, and the Lancaster Festival, among others. He is also skilled on viola, trumpet, and as a tenor. Droste holds degrees from The Ohio State University and Texas Tech University.

2025 All-State Orchestra Repertoire

The concert repertoire will be selected from the following:

Lightspeed – Kevin Day
Jupiter – Gustav Holst
Academic Festival Overture – Johannes Brahms
Danzon No.2 – Arturo Marquez

LMEA All-State Orchestra Strings, Winds, Percussion

The All-State Orchestra includes approximately 100 students. There will be a single live monitored audition for strings, harp, and piano.

Ordinarily one harp player and one piano player (as required by the current year’s All-State music) will be selected for membership in the All-State Orchestra. Their auditions will be recorded by the district director or the district’s designated orchestra chair and submitted to the orchestra division chair for adjudication.

Wind and percussion students should refer to the audition information found in the All-State Band section and follow that audition procedure.

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, September 28, 2024 – Deadline for completion of all auditions and the receipt of all student registrations, the Release of Student Information Forms, and audition fees by the district director or his/her designee.
  • Monday, October 14, 2024 (by 11:59 pm) – Results for the All-State Orchestra will be posted online. Registration forms for students selected to an ensemble will be opened once rosters are posted.

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

STATE LEVEL – CHAIR PLACEMENT AUDITIONS
This information is for students who have been selected to the All-State Orchestra.

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 11:59 pm (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

  • Onsite check-in, chair placement auditions, and the first rehearsal will be on Thursday, January 16, 2025.
  • The concert will be on Sunday, January 19, 2025.
  • High School Orchestra Schedule
  • Hotel map

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.)


Questions: Email [email protected]