a group of high school students playing musical instruments on a stage

Ark-La-Tex

2027 Ark-La-Tex

with Guest Composer/Conductor, Quincy C. Hilliard

Nomination Procedure

Nomination does not automatically ensure selection; however, all participating schools will be guaranteed representation.

Directors will be asked to submit up to five student names by January 08, 2027, utilizing the Google form available at this link. Students will have electronic access to music sent to their email upon acceptance.

Each school may only nominate five qualified students who can be nominated but, please remember that many schools will nominate flutes and alto saxophones.
Contact Dr. Chris Heidenreich for more information at cph@latech.edu or (318) 257-2089.

A Registration Fee of $20 for each student selected for the Ark-La-Tex High School Honor Band will be payable in advance due by February 1, 2027.

Music

Chairs will be determined once on campus during the Friday audition on the music to be played during on the Ark-La-Tex concert.

General Information

The School of Music of the Louisiana Tech University is pleased to announce the High School Honor Band Weekend culminating in a performance by the student musicians. The band will be selected based on the nomination of the respective band director.

Each school may nominate up to five qualified students. Any student currently enrolled in grades 10-12 who is in good standing with their high school band or orchestra is eligible for nomination. Students enrolled in grade 9-10 will be considered only to fill out instrumentation. Louisiana Tech Director of Bands Dr. Chris Heidenreich will also conduct the band, and sectionals will be coached by the applied faculty of Louisiana Tech.

Chair placement within each section will be determined at the audition on Friday morning on the music that is scheduled to appear on the concert.

Important Dates

Event	Date
Registration Opens	October 1, 2026
Nomination Deadline	January 8, 2027
Notification of Acceptance	On or before January 19, 2027
Honor Band Weekend	February 26-27, 2027

Directors and/or Parent/Guardians are responsible for travel and securing lodging. Ruston has several hotels in the area. Supervision of students during the evening is the responsibility of the band director and [or] appointed supervisor(s) from each school.

image of Quincy C. Hillard sitting in a brown leather chair with a music stand behind him

Guest Composer/Conductor Quincy C. Hilliard

Quincy C. Hilliard’s compositions for wind band are published by several major music publishers, and are performed throughout the world where there are wind bands of British-American instrumentation. His stature as an outstanding composer is apparent as conductors frequently commission him for new compositions.

Dr. Hilliard has been a recipient several times of the distinguished American Society for Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) award recognizing the numerous performances of his works and was chosen as one of a select group of composers to write a piece for the 1996 Olympics. He has also written the music score for a film documentary entitled “The Texas Rangers” for public television. In addition to composing, Dr. Hilliard is invited to all parts of the world to conduct, adjudicate festivals, and demonstrate effective teaching techniques and has written extensively on pedagogical topics in journals and publications.

In the spring of 1997, Dr. Hilliard was appointed by the Governor of Louisiana to the Louisiana Arts Council. Dr. Hilliard is also the president of Hilliard Music Enterprises, Inc., a personal consulting firm that has a corporate board of distinguished music educators. He is currently composer in residence and professor of music theory and composition, and holds the Heymann Endowed Professorship of Music at the University of Louisiana in Lafayette.

Schedule of Events

Friday

Time	Event
9:00 - 11:00 AM	Registration in Howard Auditorium (lunch coupon provided at registration), stage is open for individual warm-ups and practice
10:00 - 12:00 PM	Chair placement auditions
Optional	School of Music auditions (must be arranged in advance)
Lunch on your Own
12:30 - 2:45 PM	Introductions and rehearsal on Howard Stage
3:00 - 5:00 PM	Sectionals
5:30 PM	Dinner (Tech Table, provided)
7:00 PM	Concert with the Jazz Ensemble and Symphonic Wind Ensemble in Howard Auditorium

Saturday

Time	Event
8:00 - 8:30 AM	Warm-up on Howard Stage, breakfast on your own (there are no campus dining options in the AM)
8:30 - 11:45 AM	Rehearsal on Howard Stage Admissions Presentations
12:00 - 1:00 PM	Lunch (provided)
1:15 - 3:00 PM	Rehearsal on Howard Stage
3:00 PM	Change into concert dress as is typical for your high school
4:00 -5:00 PM	Honor Band Concert