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
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.
Students auditioning must be enrolled in a Louisiana-accredited high school and must be an active member of that school’s string or 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 ensemble in the school, the student must be enrolled in a Louisiana-accredited high school and be certified by the eligible music teacher at that school or a private teacher who is a current full 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 all string 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 and registration information.
District Directors must confirm the receipt 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, September 30, 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.
Each LMEA district will conduct and record district level auditions and submit the audio recordings to the LMEA Orchestra Chair to determine:
Membership in the string, harp, and piano sections of the LMEA All-State Orchestra
To establish a preliminary rank order of students by string section
The violin rank order will be used to assign 1st or 2nd parts to students selected to the orchestra. All rank orders may be used to break ties in the state level chair placement auditions.
AUDITION CYCLE:
There is a 4-year rotation cycle of audition materials for strings, harp, and piano, consisting of selected major scales and prepared selections. Note: The Orchestra Division Chair can also elect to require orchestral excerpts from the upcoming All-State repertoire. If this occurs, the information will be posted to the LMEA website by the last Saturday in August.
Scales (30% of score) – Scales will be chosen from the following major scales: C, G, D, A, E, F, Bb, and Eb. These will rotate on a yearly basis as listed in the current year’s set (see below). Scales must be played as described, including the order, articulation, and minimum tempo. This portion of the audition will be evaluated on tone quality, note accuracy, intonation, bowing, and tempo. The students may use music to perform their scales.
Prepared selections (70% of score) – There is a 4-year rotation of prepared selections consisting of one slow and one fast selection. Music must be performed in the order listed. This portion of the audition will be evaluated on tone quality, note and rhythmic accuracy, intonation, bowing, and tempo.
Wind players and percussionists will be selected from the All-State Band auditions. Click link to see the All-State Band requirements and follow that process.
CHAIR PLACEMENT AUDITIONS – Excerpts for all strings will be taken from the All-State program. These will be posted at a later date.
All string, piano, and harp auditions will be audio recorded (.mp3 file).
Each District Director will assign one or more monitors to record the auditions 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. (A link to the track sheet will be sent to the District Director.)
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.
TRACK SHEET
A track sheet, which will be shared with the District Director via Google Sheets, will be used 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
Given the two-fold purpose of these auditions (selection to All-State Orchestra and establishment of the preliminary ranking), it is paramount that the district director or the designated orchestra representative make every effort to utilize recording equipment that exceeds that of consumer grade.
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.
For optimal results and to ensure an even playing field for students, have students stand no more than four feet away from the microphone.
AUDITION INSTRUCTIONS and ORDER:
Start the recorder. Each recorded audition must be unedited and made in one single file.
Identification Information: The monitor will read the following script and identify each auditioner: “On (Insert Instrument), this is Audition Number (Insert Audition Number).”
Scales: The student will then play the scales on the current set’s scale sheet (in the printed order).
Prepared Selections: Next, the student will play the prepared selections in the order listed in the current year’s set.
AUDITION FILE SUBMISSION PROCEDURE:
Each District Director (or designee) will be responsible for submitting the auditioner information and uploading the audio audition files (.mp3 files only) into the Google form provided by the audition coordinator, adhering to the current year’s deadline.
Links will be sent to the District Director by the Division Chair.
The current year’s state deadline for submitting all information and audition recordings Saturday, September 23, 2023 by 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 All-State ensemble. Discussions with your school district’s IT department may be necessary to ensure inclusion in the All-State audition adjudication process.
Audition Results: The audition results will create a preliminary rank order of students in all sections and will determine the assignment of 1st and 2nd violin parts. These results will be posted on Monday, October 14, 2024 (by 11:59 pm).
Music for the All-State program is selected by the current year’s All-State conductor. Approximately one month before the All-State event, students selected to the string section should receive their music.
STATE LEVEL – CHAIR PLACEMENT AUDITIONS This information is for students who have been selected to the All-State Orchestra.
Students must learn all their music prior to arriving at the All-State event. Music will be available to students selected to the All-State Orchestra’s string section approximately one month before the event.
State level auditions, which function as chair-placement auditions, will be held for all string members and will take place at the All-State Orchestra site just prior to the first All-State rehearsal. The exact times will be on the All-State schedule of rehearsals.
Ties for chair placement will be broken by the rank orders from the initial audition.
Ordinarily, one harp and one piano player (as required by the All-State music) will be selected for membership in the All-State Orchestra, based on the district level audition.
Students are responsible for preparing all of their music prior to arriving at the All-State event.
Audition material for the state level (chair placement) auditions will consist of excerpts from the current All-State Orchestra program. Music will be sent to the District Director or district’s designated Orchestra Chair approximately one month before the All-State event. Additional information will also be posted on this page as it becomes available.
These auditions will be evaluated based on tone quality, intonation, note accuracy, rhythmic accuracy, bowing, and musicality. Approximate tempos will be indicated in these parts.
Click here for audition excerpt requirements for string chair placement.
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 Letter – A 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 Portal – To 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.
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.)
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:
Teachers are required to screen students who are discipline problems and not allow them to audition.
Students are expected to follow their school’s rules while at LMEA All-State.
Students must be present and on time for registration, all rehearsals, and any other scheduled All-State events.
Students failing to adhere to their LMEA All-State schedule or the rules and regulations are subject to dismissal.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
The student’s principal, director and parents will be immediately notified of any rule violation.
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.
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.
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.
Any infraction and subsequent dismissal will be referred to the LMEA Executive Board for resolution and clarification.
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.
DONATIONS