FESTIVALS and events

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District V Band Directors Association encourages the concept of festivals as opposed to contests.

• Festivals provide us with the opportunity to have our work objectively evaluated while providing our students with important feedback and reinforcement.
• Festivals give everyone a chance to achieve the very highest score without direct      comparisons. In festivals we compete against a standard…not against one another.
• Festivals provide us with a tremendous outlet for public relations, which are important to the continuing development of music programs in our area.

There are several festivals that operate within District V.

 A traditional field competition established and sponsored by the Pickering High School Band Boosters. This festival is not directly connected to either District V or LMEA, but the festival has generally followed the letter and spirit of LMEA policies. Additional information can be secured from the Director of Bands at Pickering High School. 

 A traditional field competition established and sponsored by DeRidder High School. This festival is not directly connected to either District V or LMEA, but the festival has generally followed the letter and spirit of LMEA policies. Additional information can be secured from the Director of Bands at DeRidder High School 

 A traditional field competition established and sponsored by Sulphur High School Band Boosters. This contest has a dual format in that it gives both ratings and place standings. This festival is not directly connected to either District V or LMEA. Additional information can be secured from the Director of Bands at Sulphur High School. 

 A traditional field competition established and sponsored by McNeese State University. This festival is not directly connected to either District V or LMEA, but the festival has generally followed the letter and spirit of LMEA policies. Additional information can be secured from the Director of Bands at McNeese State University. 

 The officially sanctioned Solo and Ensemble Festival. This festival is operated under the rules and regulations found in the LMEA Handbook. The LMEA District Director is directly in charge of this festival. This festival has traditionally been held approximately one month prior to the large ensemble festival. 

The LMEA Solo and Ensemble Festival and the LMEA Large Ensemble Festival comply with all state regulations concerning participation, including deadlines for entry.

The officially sanctioned concert and sight-reading festival. This festival is operated under the rules and regulations found in the LMEA Handbook. The LMEA District Director is directly in charge of this festival.

The officially sanctioned concert and sight-reading festival. This festival is operated under the rules and regulations found in the LMEA Handbook. The LMEA District Director is directly in charge of this festival.

As a district association, we take an active part in the selection of judges and locations as dictated by state policies. However, the information in this handbook must not be viewed as the official source of music or regulations. It is merely provided as a reference. Always refer to the LMEA Handbook for official regulations. Always refer to the LMEA Band Prescribed Music List for accurate and official listings of required music.

District V Large Ensemble Festival judges may not be used in ANY capacity more than two consecutive years.

  Work crews necessary to run the district festival (stage crew, sight reading crew, runners) are taken from area high school band students. District V Band Directors Association will pay a stipend of $100 per day to the school/band program providing these workers.