Music News
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Getting to the Art of the Matter
By Richard Floyd, Music Director | Friday, March 30, 2012 9:24 AM
What do you teach?Have you ever been asked that question?
I’m sure we all have at one time or another and the reality of the matter is there can be countless responses.
Perhaps you would say, "I teach band."
Others might respond that they are a music educator or a music teacher. A few colleagues would take a more philosophical approach and respond that what they really teach is students and music is the subject. It is likely that an expanded list of “teaching tasks” might include discipline, references to teamwork, working towards a common goal and various other qualities associated with the citizenship and team player merit badge. The truth is that we teach a lot, and we teach on multiple levels.
Tips for Being an Effective UIL Concert Judge
By Mark McGahey, TMAA Concert Band Vice President | Friday, March 30, 2012 9:21 AM
We are well underway with UIL Concert and Sightreading Contests across Texas. For those who will be participating as adjudicators soon, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Tip #1 - Write in a succinct, concise manner. Get to the point; complete sentences are OK, but not necessary. You can use blurbs or bullet points to set apart the most important information.
A Few Issues Popping Up in Music
By Richard Floyd, Music Director | Tuesday, February 07, 2012 12:05 PM
What’s new with UIL? How are things in Austin? Anything happening in music?
These and countless similar inquiries confront me everywhere I go as I travel across the state and nation. People want to know what is going on, and from my perspective, they deserve to know what is going on. To be honest, sometimes there is very little going on. The ship is on a confirmed course, the sails are trimmed and it appears to be smooth sailing ahead. At other times the seas are rough, the winds are unpredictable and there are uncharted waters ahead. While there is little drama in our “UIL music world” at present, there are issues that have surfaced in recent months that require thoughtful deliberation and possible action.
So, since you asked, here’s what’s new in Austin. Not surprisingly, several of these items have to do with marching band.
Judge Etiquette in the Sight-reading Room
By Jeff Turner, TMAA Orchestra VP | Monday, December 05, 2011 11:47 AM
Another concert and sight-reading judging season will be here sooner than we think. As that time of the year nears, I wanted to share a few thoughts and ideas about professionalism on a sight-reading panel. As I thought about the word professionalism in this context, I concluded it would be more appropriate to speak in terms of etiquette defined as: the code of ethical behavior regarding professional practice or action among the members of a profession in their dealings with each other.
In our TMAA judging workshops, we spend most of the time discussing best practice for writing educational sheets and assigning appropriate ratings. I’d like to suggest some things that come under the “other” category of judging that we tend to take for granted.
State Marching Band Goes Live (on the Web)
By McKensie Wallesen, UIL intern | Monday, December 05, 2011 9:41 AM
At the 4A State Marching Band Competition, Vandergrift High School performs at the Alamodome in San Antonio. Vandergrift HS placed ninth at the state competition. Cedar Park High School won the 4A title. Queen City High School won the 2A title, and Sundown High School won the 1A title. For a full list of results, go to http://utdirect.utexas.edu/uilsmbc/lbw2_sched_results.WBX?s_conference=1A&s_round=2&s_display_sw=R.
Photo by Jeanne Acton
For the first time in the history of the UIL State Marching Band Contest, parents, fans and bands across the state were able to see the performances live without making the trip to the Alamodome in San Antonio.
Over the two-day contest, the webcast received more than 60,000 hits without even much advertising to promote the event.
One of those hits was from a parent who had emergency surgery days before the marching contest so she couldn’t travel to see her daughter play.
State Wind Ensemble Festival Provides a Unique Musical Opportunity
By Richard Floyd, Music Director | Wednesday, October 19, 2011 3:22 PM
The State Wind Ensemble Contest was established in 1976 as a part of the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest. During the years that followed, this event gradually evolved into the festival format that is in place today. It is now referred to as the State Wind Ensemble Festival (SWEF) and provides an educationally rewarding and positive experience for all participants. This prestigious event is scheduled for May 5, 2012.
Much of the success of this event has been attributed to the Clinician/Commentator component of the format. This feature allows each performing group to have a 30-minute post concert clinic/critique with a nationally recognized conductor/educator. The focus of the event is on the subjective, artistic elements of music performance rather than the objective, technical details that tend to dominate critiques in a totally competitive setting.
Only Minor Rule Changes for Music in 2012
By Richard Floyd, Music Director | Thursday, September 15, 2011 2:14 PM
The UIL Music Programs continue to operate in a stable climate with minimal changes from year to year. Virtually all UIL music rules remain unchanged with the exception of some minor procedural issues pertaining to Sight-reading Contest. The following rule changes will be in effect for the 2012 Sight-reading Contests in band, choir and orchestra.
Section 1111(a)(7) - RECORDING DEVICES IN THE SIGHT-READING ROOM. With the advent of smart phones and other portable recording devices it has become more prevalent for individuals to record the sight-reading music during the competition for later review. This practice is inconsistent with the expectations for the sight-reading contest. Consequently the UIL Legislative Council has adopted a regulation that prohibits the use of recording devices in the sight-reading room.
2011 TSSEC: Largest Music Contest in UIL History
By Jeanne Acton, Journalism Director | Tuesday, May 31, 2011 12:54 PM
Members of the PSJA Memorial High School ensemble play for their judge at the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest. TSSEC was held over Memorial Day weekend.
Photo by Jeanne Acton
During the Memorial Day weekend, more than 20,000 high school music students from across the state descended on Central Texas for the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest, making it the largest music contest ever hosted by UIL.
UIL Music Director Richard Floyd said he was pleasantly surprised by the increased participation.
“It was the largest event in our history,” Floyd said. “I thought our number might be down because of budget constraints. This suggests that our superintendents and schools believe the contest is truly a beneficial, educational experience for their students.”
The contest was held at three sites: the University of Texas at Austin, Connally High School and Hendrickson High School, both in Pflugerville Independent School District.
Sight Reading Contest Committed to Consistency
By Richard Floyd, Music Director | Tuesday, May 03, 2011 11:03 AM
The following article appeared in The Leaguer in April of 2004. Based on recent occurrences relating to band sight-reading music, it would seem timely to run it once again. Please read on.
There are two things that I know will happen every spring. The first is the need to file my income tax return by April 15. That one is between Uncle Sam and me. The other is the inevitable, passionate discussion of sight-reading music that surfaces every year about this time. That one concerns all of us and I assure you that it is not an issue that I take lightly.
When I came to the UIL in 1984, my predecessor gave me a great deal of sage advice. As years have passed and times have changed, some of his council has lost relevance, but his assessment of the sight-reading contest continues to be remarkably accurate. Dr. Patrick assured me that regardless of the source of the music, the method used to select it or the system used to judge it, there would always be a portion of our directors who would be displeased. He was so right.
Music Participation Numbers Reach More Than a Half Million
By Julianne Coyne, UIL Intern | Tuesday, February 08, 2011 5:01 PM
The Monahans High School band gets ready to march at the State Marching Band Competition at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
Photo by Stephen Tidmore
The numbers are pretty staggering.
More than half a million students participated in a UIL music activity last year.
The breakdown looks like this: 849 marching bands, 3,208 concert bands, 1,152 orchestras, 2,750 choirs, 109,699 solo entries and 16,846 ensemble entries for UIL during the 2009-2010 school year.
Amanda Drinkwater, band director at Marcus High School in Lewisville, understands the impact music can have on students. Her band captured the division 5A State Championship this year.
