Page 35 of 51 pages ‹ First < 33 34 35 36 37 > Last ›
UIL Hosts Black History Month Program
By Stephanie Ramirez, Communications Officer | Wednesday, February 16, 2011 3:29 PM
The UIL held its annual Black History Month recognition program Feb. 15. The UIL staff and invited guests were treated to a variety of performances in honor of Black History Month.
Some of the performances included a skit by three second grade students from The University of Texas Elementary School; oral readings by fourth grade students from The University of Texas Elementary School; a solo vocal performance by a Liberal Arts Science Academy (Austin) choir member; and a poetry reading by a student from The University of Texas at Austin who is a former UIL State champion.
Dr. Leonard Moore of The University of Texas at Austin history department was the featured guest speaker and spoke about the importance of making education a priority, specifically for black student-athletes. Dr. Moore stressed the significance of applauding academic success as much as athletic success among black students.
A video of the event will be posted by Feb. 22.
UIL Holds Full Staff Meeting
By Stephanie Ramirez, Communications Officer | Thursday, February 10, 2011 4:27 PM
Every few months, the entire UIL staff comes together for a full staff meeting. Because we all get so busy with our individual tasks, these meetings serve as an opportunity for all the departments to get together and discuss happenings in each department.
The staff listened to the “State of the UIL” from Executive Director Dr. Charles Breithaupt. Topics discussed during the meeting included the adverse weather conditions in the last few weeks across the state and how it has affected events ranging from CX debate to the swimming & diving regional meets. Dr. Breithaupt also talked about state budget cuts and the UIL’s commitment to keep costs down for our members schools.
Ideas for Scholastic Journalism Week Feb. 20-26
By Julianne Coyne, UIL Intern | Wednesday, February 09, 2011 2:54 PM
The Journalism Education Association has designated the week of Feb. 20-26 as Scholastic Journalism Week. During this week, schools from around the nation will look for ways to celebrate their journalism programs and inform the public of the benefits of scholastic journalism.
Here are some ideas for celebrating at your school:
1. Have students research and celebrate famous journalists like Nellie Bly or Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein.
2. Hold a fake news conference or stage a fake crime for students to report.
Music Participation Numbers Reach More Than a Half Million
By Julianne Coyne, UIL Intern | Tuesday, February 08, 2011 4:01 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.
Prepping for Lit Crit in 2011
By Mark Bernier, Literary Criticism State Contest Director | Monday, February 07, 2011 9:22 AM
The district and region meets are just down the road, and I trust that the invitational meets are serving as good preparation. The calendar appears crowded with opportunity even if the weather (and the economy) might be interfering a bit.
Living with the Reading List has its effects; some, I hope, are short-term. I recently dreamed about Lizzie coming upon Yank in a greenhouse, the image of which is permanently burned into my imagination's retina. The Omphalian oracle positioned among "last year's" Erewhonian statues doesn't haunt me, perhaps because New Zealand, even in my dream world, is so beautiful. So it is that I hope that you are enjoying Austen's invitation into Society and O'Neill's thrusting you into the caged world of the working class, as well as Roethke's beckoning you along the recursive path that is the breadth of his lifetime of experience.
Clarifying Questions About New Prose & Poetry Categories
By Jana Riggins, Speech and Debate Director | Tuesday, February 01, 2011 4:01 PM
There is much excitement about the new prose and poetry categories for high school oral interpretation contests. As students and coaches seek to find literature to fit these parameters, questions arise. I have enjoyed being out on the circuit judging. I see firsthand the approaches students are taking with the categories, which aids me in evaluating the category descriptors to ensure they clearly convey the framers’ intent for performances.
I am writing this article to clarify many of the questions I have received regarding the new categories.
Let me begin by reminding coaches the Constitution & Contest Rules require all coaches to read the 2010-2011 edition of the UIL Prose and Poetry Handbook, which should be ordered from the State Office. There is an extended discussion of the categories in Chapter 4 designed to aid coaches in guiding their students to prepare appropriately. Review the manual far in advance of your district meet, in order to prevent problems or disqualification at League-standing contests.
Documentation Details for 2010-11
By Jana Riggins, Speech and Debate Director | Tuesday, February 01, 2011 3:46 PM
As you prepare for your upcoming spring competition, one of the most important things prose and poetry performers must do is to secure appropriate documentation for the performance categories.
Securing documentation is not a task that can be left until the last minute. Although the new categories were designed to make documentation easier, the authors and selections a student chooses may not be quick to document.
Documentation should be found before students put their heart and soul into analyzing and rehearsing a literary work for competition. If documentation is insufficient, students do not get to compete, so knowing the requirements and making certain you have met the contest rules is of utmost importance.
UIL Calculator Application State Director David Bourell to Receive TMS Fellows Award
By Chris Schmidt, Communications Officer | Monday, January 31, 2011 11:47 AM
On March 1, 2011, David Bourell will be awarded with The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (TMS) Fellows Award. The TMS Fellow Award is a very exclusive, international honor as their can only be 100 living fellows at any point in time.
Technology Will Allow for More Frequent Updates of PML for 2011-12 School Year
By Richard Floyd, Music Director | Thursday, January 27, 2011 1:45 PM
While there has been a great deal of information distributed regarding the new Prescribed Music List revision process, there remains a certain degree of misunderstanding and confusion regarding what is taking place. For at least the last five decades, a committee of five to seven members in band, choir and orchestra has reviewed the Prescribed Music every four years. The end result was a new publication that remained the official UIL list until a new committee convened four years later. With the expanded use of online technology, it became apparent in recent years that a more contemporary and Web-based strategy was in order.
As everyone knows, the PML now “lives” online supported by a search engine that allows directors, private teacher, students and music dealers to explore the list in a multitude of ways. The system also supports online contest entries. Furthermore, with the utilization of available technology, it is possible for the list to be maintained and modified in “real time” and on an ongoing basis. It is no longer necessary to wait four years to print a new edition. Thus, beginning in the 2011-12 school year, music will be added to the list annually prior to the beginning of the new school year.
3 Things that Will Help You be a Better Judge
By Mark McGahey, TMAA Concert Band Vice President | Wednesday, January 26, 2011 11:32 AM
As we approach the UIL Concert and Sight-reading Contest season, I thought this would be a good opportunity to review several important aspects we, as adjudicators, should bear in mind as we evaluate groups:
1. Knowledge – Know the literature and have a picture in your mind before listening. No, I mean really know the literature, and not just have an idea how a tune goes. As a music evaluator, you need to offer an educated opinion about what you are hearing. How often do you listen to non-varsity bands, middle school bands or any band outside of your classification? Do you have an idea in your mind of how a successful band at each level sounds?
Be sensitive to sub- and non-varsity ensembles. It is important to understand that these groups are working to achieve at their performance level. Also, keep in mind the fact that these groups will likely have students functioning as leaders for the first time.