EVENTS:

• Large Choral or Instrumental Festival - No minimum number of members.

• Training Groups (2nd Groups) - Comprised of students who are NOT in the top ensemble.  Students may not perform in both training groups and top performing groups. (Exception: instrumentalists performing on different instruments.)

• Wind Ensemble - An ensemble with one player per part. (Exception: 1st flute, Bb clarinet, 1st trumpet, and tuba where there may be two players per part.)
Note: Instrumentation for wind ensembles must be attached to the entry form.

• Student Conductor - A student conductor may participate if conducting an ensemble consisting of a minimum of sixteen members and the performance stays within the six-minute time limit.

 ELIGIBILITY:

Only students enrolled within the participating school, unless the group is certified as Class F, H, or I, may participate in the large ensemble festival.

Accompanists:

Choral - Accompanists are NOT required to be a member of the participating school.

Instrumental - If an accompanist is required for the ensemble, that person must be from the participating school.

A high school student may not participate in a junior high, middle school, or elementary ensemble.

A junior high or middle school student may not participate in an elementary ensemble.

An elementary student may participate with a junior high, middle school, or high school, but will not be allowed to perform with their own ensemble. A middle school/junior high student may participate with a high school, but will not be allowed to perform with their own ensemble.

Student teacher: A festival performance may be conducted by a student teacher in part or whole.

 CLASSIFICATIONS:

Classification is determined by the school's official enrollment at the time the entry form is filled out and submitted. this must be certified by the principal on the entry form. 

Note: Any group from a single school may enter a higher classification. Also, a group may select its required music from a higher grade without changing its classification.

2nd Groups:  Second or training organizations will use the same classification as the first group, but with the added designation of second group. Example: A second group in AAAA high schools will be designated as Class AAAA Second Group. Members of a school's first group MAY NOT participate in second or training groups. (Exception: instrumentalists performing on different instruments.) 

Second groups may not participate in a festival without participation by the first group.  (Exception: State Festival)

Other Groups:  For information on Class F (combined schools taught by the same director in an itinerant position), Class G (100% beginners), Class H (Youth Symphonies or Choirs and All-City Orchestras or Choirs), or Class I (parish or local honor groups), click on the link to the "LMEA Handbook" in the navagation column at the left.

 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Judge's Copy of Music - All conductors must provide three original copies of each selection with the measures numbered. Note: Duplicated scores are accepted ONLY if accompanied by written permission from the copyright owner. Directors with illegal material will not be allowed to participate.  

Music - All bands, wind ensembles, and choirs must perform three selections, two of which may be chosen from any source. The source for the third or required selection is given below:

BAND 

• The required selection for high schools (classified AAAA, AAA, AA, A, or B) must be chosen from the current LMEA Band Prescribed Music List, found on the "LMEA website" (click on link at left). Grade level requirements are listed below and can also be found on the "LMEA website". These are minimums.  Any group may perform a required selection from a higher grade level without changing its classification.

Designated second groups (training groups) may choose a required selection two grades lower than the first group.

Designated third groups may choose a required selection one grade lower than the second group.

• The required selection for middle school/junior high bands (7, 8. 9 classifications) may come from any grade on the LMEA Prescribed Music List, found on the "LMEA website" (click on link at left).

• All other concert band classifications must perform three selections chosen from any source.

• NOTE: No group will be allowed to perform more than one selection by the same composer. (It is allowed to perform more than one piece arranged by the same person.)

• See the LMEA website for additional information.

CHOIR 

• The required selection for high schools must be chosen from the current Texas UIL Prescribed Music List for Regional Competition or The Direcotr's Guide to Festival and Contest Music. Grade level requirements are listed below and can also be found on the "LMEA website" (click on link at left).

Designated second groups (training groups) may choose a required selection two grades lower than the first group.

• The required selection for middle school/junior high choirs (6, 7, 8, 9, or G classifications) must be chosen from any grade on the Texas UIL Prescribed Music List for Regional Competition or The Louisiana Junior High Supplemental List published in the September issue of the Louisiana Musician or found on the state LMEA website (click on link at left).

• Elementary choruses through grade 6 must perform three selections chosen from any source. At least half of one selection must be in harmony in two or more parts. 

• NOTE: No group will be allowed to perform more than one selection by the same composer. (It is allowed to perform more than one piece arranged by the same person.)

• See the LMEA website for additional information.

 PERFORMANCE TIME LIMITS:

Performances are subject to the following total time limits:

BAND:

Bands - Class 9A and below - 25 minutes

Bands - Class C and above - 30 minutes

Wind Ensembles - 30 minutes

NEW (TRIAL BASIS) 2008 - All AAAA bands and any band that performs a selection off the Louisiana Prescribed Music List Grade 5 that is 18 minutes or longer, will be alloted 45 minutes. Note: The 18 minute or longer piece must be on the list.  Be aware that the 45 minute time allotment is on/off stage.

CHOIR: 15 - 20 minutes

 SIGHT-READING:

All groups are allowed total of 8 minutes for the examination and discussion of the sight-reading music.  

BAND - See the "LMEA website" for specific procedures.

CHOIR - Click here for an updated version of the specific procedures.

 FORM AND FEES:

Click on "Form" at the left and then select the necessary form(s). All fees, including the recording fee for both band and choir is found on the form. Bands should submit a concert band set-up form at the registration table on the day of the festival.

A school check for the fees should be made payable to L.M.E.A. District IX. The registration form, check, and a copy of the director's LMEA membership card must be postmarked by the registration deadline to avoid a $50 late fee. The mailing address can be found on the form.

 STUDENT CONDUCTOR:

There is a limit of 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.

SCHEDULED LARGE ENSEMBLE FESTIVALS:

• Choir

Festival Date:	March 18, 2009
Place:	Greater Covington Center
Time:	TBA All events will be scheduled on a first come, first served basis as soon as the registration form and payment are received.  If there are any scheduling concerns, please let the chairperson know A.S.A.P.
Registration Deadline:	February 20, 2008
Chairperson:	Sharon McNamara-Horne

• Band

Festival Date:	March 20, 2009
Place:	Ponchatoula High
Time:	TBA All events will be scheduled on a first come, first served basis as soon as the registration form and payment are received.  If there are any scheduling concerns, please let the chairperson know A.S.A.P.
Registration Deadline:	February 20, 2009
Chairperson:	Neal Naquin

  ALL OTHER INFORMATION:

 All other information can be found in the LMEA Handbook (click on link at left).

Last Updated:  June, 2008