Honor Ensembles
Table of Contents
(Click an ensemble name below to jump to that portion of the page.)
What are Honor Ensembles?
The Honor Ensembles listed on this page are programs run through our district and state chapters. They provide opportunities for students in Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, and St. Bernard Parishes to experience music outside of their own school music programs. In addition, students gain the experience of auditioning, rehearsing, and performing with some of the best musicians in the area between 4th and 12th grade. We have multiple All State Ensembles (including concert band, jazz band, orchestra, choir, and guitar ensemble) and District Honor Bands (Concert and Jazz) at the Elementary, Junior High, and Senior High levels.
Honor Orchestra Auditions 2024 - 2025
High School Levels:
All State HS String Orchestra Set I 1 Round
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Middle School Levels:
All State MS String Orchestra Set I 1 Round
Other Honor Auditions 2024 - 2025
High School Levels:
All State HS Guitar Ensemble Set I 2 Rounds
All State High School Guitar Ensemble Auditions
See information here: All State Guitar Ensemble
All State High School Orchestra Auditions
Contact Carl Lacoste | Ben Franklin High School | 504-239-2263 | carllacoste@yahoo.com
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.
Set I – 2024-25 (Download music and forms here.)
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 State Middle School Orchestra Auditions
Contact Carl Lacoste | Ben Franklin High School | 504-239-2263 | carllacoste@yahoo.com
See information here: All State Middle School Orchestra
To audition for the LMEA All State Middle School Orchestra, contact Carl Lacoste (see above) to schedule a recording date.
Recordings will be held at Ben Franklin High School as follows:
Mondays and Wednesdays beginning at 3:30 pm
Oct. 7 and 9
Oct. 14 and 16
Oct. 21 and 23
You must schedule an audition time with Mr. Lacoste.
You must also bring a signed copy of the Student Information Release Form to be allowed to audition, as well as the $15 registration fee.
Contact Carl Lacoste (above) with questions.