District Large Ensemble Assessment

Committees from the Vocal and Instrumental Divisions have completed a “redesign” of the large ensemble assessment information and procedures to address members’ concerns in both stage performance and sight-reading. The following changes have been approved and will go into effect this year.

GENERAL INFORMATION THAT AFFECTS ALL DIVISIONS CAN BE FOUND BELOW.

New Materials for All EnsemblesAdopted for 2023-24 Assessments

BAND and ORCHESTRA

Classification and Performance Requirements

Louisiana PML – Band
Texas UIL PML – Orchestra and Strings

Sight-Reading Information

Adjudication Forms & Rubrics

CHORAL

Classification and Performance Requirements

Louisiana PML

Sight-Reading Criteria & Examples

Sight-Reading Procedures

Adjudication Forms & Rubrics

 

Copyright Permissions for Performance
Important information related to copyright laws has been compiled and prepared jointly by NFHS and NAfME.

For Schools Needing a Current LMEA W-9:

General Information for ALL Ensembles

The Large Ensemble Assessment is planned to serve the students of teachers who are members in good standing of NAfME/LMEA. Teachers who are non-members may enter their students in the large ensemble assessment upon payment of a non-member fee, along with the regular student entry fee.

An ensemble may participate in only one LMEA District Large Ensemble Assessment. See https://lmeamusic.org/assessments/district-large-ensemble-assessment/all-forms-district-large-ensemble/ for specific information about requesting an Out-of-District performance waiver.

Events

  • Large Ensemble – Band, Choir, or Orchestra with no minimum number
  • Ensemble Classification – click on the Band and Orchestra or the Choral link above for specific information about an ensemble’s classification and student participation in various ensembles.
  • Wind Ensemble – one player per part. Instrumentation must be attached to the registration form. (Exception: 1st flute, Bb Clarinet, 1st trumpet, and tuba where there may be two players per part.

Student Eligibility

  • Only students within the participating school, unless certified as a parish group or combined group taught by the same teacher, may participate in the large ensemble assessment.
  • An elementary student may participate with a middle school or high school group, but will not be eligible to also perform with their own elementary group.
  • A middle school student may participate with a high school group, but will not be eligible to perform with their own middle school group.
  • A high school student may not participate in a junior high (middle school) or elementary ensemble, nor may a junior high (middle school) student participate with an elementary ensemble. Exception: Combined schools
  • A band or orchestra member of the first concert ensemble may participate in the second ensemble or training group of the same type provided he/she plays a different instrument.
  • See information on the Choral page for exceptions related to multiple ensembles or a select group.

Accompanists

  • Choirs – Accompanists are not required to be a member of the participating school.
  • Choral Sight-Reading – A competent accompanist will be provided for the choral sight-reading event. (A minimum honorarium of $75.00 per day (district festival) will be paid by LMEA.)
  • Bands and Orchestras – An accompanist must be a student from the participating school. (Exception: elementary/middle strings) 
  • Band directors may petition the Band Division Chairman for inclusion of a non-student pianist in circumstances when piano/keyboard is specifically written for and no qualified student pianist is available. This exception shall not apply to pieces where the piano is the featured/solo instrument (piano concerto, sonata, etc.).

Student Teacher

  • An assessment performance may be conducted by a student teacher in part or whole.

Student Conductor

  • The student conductor event is limited to one student conductor per large ensemble. This event is conducted in the sight-reading room after the group has completed sight-reading.
  • An original score of the selection must be given to the sight-reading judge.
  • Student Conductor Adjudication Form

Entry Form

  • All entry forms for the Large Ensemble Assessment must be certified by the signature of the school principal.
  • Parish groups must be certified by the signature of the parish superintendent or his representative.
  • Contact your District Director for the district’s official entry form.
  • All entry forms and school checks must be submitted to the District Director no later than thirty (30) days prior to the assessment. Follow your District Director’s instructions for submitting the registration forms and checks.
  • Each large ensemble entry must be on a separate entry form with fee(s) attached.

Participation Fees

  • Check your district’s official assessment entry forms for the current fee(s). The entry fee is set by LMEA, but each district will set the recording fee for their district.
  • School checks will be submitted along with a copy of the registration form to the District Director.
  • Included with the large ensemble entry form must be a photocopy of the teacher’s or director’s NAfME/LMEA membership card. Membership must be current at the time of the assessment.

Scores

  • Directors of large ensembles must provide three original scores of each selection for the adjudicators. These scores must have each measure numbered.
  • Duplicated scores will be accepted only if accompanied by written permission from the copyright owner. Directors with illegal material will not be allowed to participate.
  • Any director using an e-print score must supply a confirmation of purchase.
  • Directors with no scores will not be allowed to perform for a rating.

Judges

  • There will be three (3) performance judges and one (1) sight-reading judge for all district assessments.
  • For all BAND assessments, two of the three performance judges must be selected from the recommended list of LMAA approved judges. The selection of the sight-reading judge is at the discretion of the district director.

Audio Recordings

  • Recorders for adjudicators’ comments, including sight-reading, are required at all LMEA Large Ensemble Assessments. These recorders will be furnished by LMEA.

Sight Reading Room Information

  • Sight-reading events will be closed events. Spectators are not allowed in the sight-reading room.
  • An accompanist will provided in the sight-reading room at all large ensemble assessments. ALL CHOIRS must utilize this accompanist.
  • All like groups will sight-read in the same room.

Awards

The following awards will be given by LMEA at the large ensemble assessment:

  • A group that performs in the concert event but does not receive a rating is not eligible for a rating in sight-reading
  • A sweepstakes trophy is awarded to each group rating I (superior) in both concert and sight-reading.
  • A concert plaque is awarded to each group rating I (superior) in concert (stage performance) and a lower rating in sight-reading.
  • A sight-reading plaque is awarded to each group rating I (superior) in sight-reading and a lower rating in concert performance.
  • A blue medal to each Student Conductor rating I (superior).
  • Engraving of the metal plate on an assessment plaque or trophy will be the responsibility of the recipient.
  • To order medals for individual ensemble members of bands, choirs, orchestras, or wind ensembles rating I (superior) in concert, sight-reading or sweepstakes:
    • Directors may purchase medals directly from LMEA by submitting the LMEA Medal Order Form.
    • Each order must be certified by the appropriate assessment chairman or District Director.
    • For further information contact:  Scotty Walker, Executive Director at [email protected]

Disqualification

  • If an individual, organization, or director violates any of the above rules and regulations, except for penalties for individual events already stated elsewhere, the entry will be disqualified from the event in which the violation occurred.