District IV Large Ensemble Assessment
​BAND
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***COVID Update***

We will decide by Jan. 15th, 2021 if we will pursue Plan A or Plan B for our District.  Please note that if your school performance plan does not fit into the District’s Plan, you will be allowed to attend another District's Assessment that may be offering a Plan that works for you.  Contact your District Director for clarification and questions you may have.

DRAFT PROPOSALS
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Plan A - In-Person Assessment

• 3 Stage Adjudicators
• No Sight-Reading
• No Classifications
• Music Requirements
  • A minimum of 1 selection of of ANY music list on ANY level
  • Flex Band formats of list tunes are acceptable.
  • Supplemental .5 Grade level list will be published for middle school bands, TBA
• Festival Dates TBA, but before May 1st
• Ensembles can perform for Comments Only or Ratings

FORMS
All paper forms available at lmeamusic.org

PAST YEARS RESULTS

• 2020
• 2019
• 2018
• 2017
• 2016
• 2015
• 2014

​Plan B - Virtual Assessment (Submission of Recordings)

• 3 Adjudicators
• No Sight-Reading
• No Classifications
• Music Requirements
  • A minimum of 1 selection of of ANY music list on ANY level
  • Flex Band formats of list tunes are acceptable.
  • Supplemental .5 Grade level list will be published for middle school bands, TBA
• Recordings submitted before May 1st
• Ensembles can submit recordings for Comments Only or Ratings. 
• These recordings can be used for the Robert L. Wilhite and the Standard of Excellence awards.  Information regarding these awards will be available at www.lmeamusic.org.​

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Rationale:
After communicating with stakeholders at all levels and divisions throughout the State of Louisiana, LMEA has decided on the above courses of action.  

• Removal of Classifications: every program is presented with unprecedented times and complete upheaval of programs.  It is impossible to have any fair and equitable system of music requirements and ratings system at this time.  This issue is compounded by the districts that are utilizing Full Virtual, Hybrid, and In-person models.  With the numbers of enrolled students in school in such flux, the current classifications enrollment numbers become meaningless. 
• Removal of Sight Reading:
  • There are significant challenges to preparing an ensemble adequately for the sight reading process.
  • The logistical process of having multiple groups using the same music creates a tremendous safety concern during this pandemic.
  • The music written for our sight reading assessment is not adaptable for current ensemble issues.
• Deadline for Ensemble Submissions:  Having a later deadline (May 1st) will allow more groups the time to prepare.

​There is still a need, during these pandemic times, for LMEA to continue to offer quality programs for directors and students.  It is important for directors to have the opportunity to push their students musically, yet offer options for programs that are limited in resources and preparedness.