Music News
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A Successful Marching Band Season Leads Us into Concert Season
By Dr. Brad Kent, Director of Music | Wednesday, November 27, 2013 9:38 AM
Now that the competitive marching band season has concluded and we are transitioning into concert season, please allow me to share some thoughts with you. First of all, I would like to thank all of the students, directors, administrators, and parents who play such an important role in the success of our programs in Texas. Your passion and commitment to excellence is truly remarkable!
The 2013 marching band season culminated by showcasing some of Texas’ very best bands at the State Marching Band Contest on Nov. 4 and 5 at the Alamodome in San Antonio. The level of performance and achievement by these bands embodied the exemplary standard for which arts education in Texas is known. Please join me in congratulating our 2013 State Champion Marching Bands:
A – Shiner High School, Stephen Krupicka, Director
AA – Whitesboro High School, Jim Cude, Director
AAAA – Vandegrift High School, Jeremy Spicer, Director
Floyd Hands Over the Reigns, Promises a Smooth Transition
By Richard Floyd, former Director of Music | Friday, September 06, 2013 1:36 PM
What is that old saying? “Time flies when you are having fun.”
How true. I looked up 12 months ago and suddenly realized that 29 years had passed since I was appointed the UIL State Director of Music in 1984. That’s a long time. In fact, there are countless music educators out there who have never known the UIL without Richard Floyd as the State Director of Music. Now, that’s a scary thought!
But, the time has come. The transition is well underway. Dr. Brad Kent, former Fine Arts Director for the Richardson Independent School District, and I have worked in tandem for an entire year and on Sept. 1, 2013 Brad assumed the role of State Director of Music. I will remain on board in a half-time position committed to our goal of making the transition as seamless as possible. George Strickland and Patty Esfandiari continue to be a part of our great UIL music team. For music directors across the state of Texas it should be “business as usual.”
New Music Director Shares 3 Updates to C&CR
By Dr. Brad Kent, Director of Music | Friday, September 06, 2013 1:25 PM
As I sit down to write my first Leaguer article as State Director of Music I would like to share with you my excitement and enthusiasm for serving you, the music teachers in Texas. The beginning of a new school year is always filled with a renewed sense of optimism and energy that comes from the anticipation of having a fruitful year of learning and accomplishment. I hope nine months from now you can look back and see that you not only achieved your goals, but most importantly that you made a difference in the lives of your students. Because, it is through education that we can truly enlighten young minds and shape the future.
From the UIL state music office we have three updates in the 2013-2014 Constitution and Contest Rules. The first amendment basically expands an option that already exists, the second is an addition that was adopted in the spring and the third gives scheduling flexibility to our regions.
Section 1102 (b) (1) (C) in the 2013-2014 Constitution and Contest Rules allows a student playing a string instrument in a varsity or non-varsity full or string orchestra permission to play a keyboard instrument or harp in another competing orchestra representing the same school. This allowance already exists for students playing a wind or percussion instrument in a varsity or non-varsity group; we simply extended the same opportunity to string students.
A Musical Journey: Floyd Retires After Nearly 3 Decades at UIL
By Jamie Oberg, UIL Intern | Friday, May 31, 2013 10:29 AM
Richard Floyd, who started at UIL 29 years ago, will retire this summer. On June 27, Floyd will be one of 13 individuals inducted in the National High School Hall of Fame in Denver, Colorado
UIL Music Director Richard Floyd wears his philosophy close to his heart. In fact, it’s merely inches from it.
It’s a necklace that encourages him daily to always take chances and embrace life’s unpredictability.
“If you turn it certain ways it reads ‘Go for it,’” he explained.
Only Floyd, his wife Cheryl, and his son Weston have the necklaces, which Floyd designed himself and commissioned a local jeweler to create.
“Go for it if you have a vision, just move forward with passion,” Floyd said. “That’s what I’ve tried to do, and I hope people remember me as being passionate and caring and committed.”
And Texas music educators will have no problem remembering that.
Committees Guide Music Contests
By Richard Floyd, Music Director | Friday, March 01, 2013 11:15 AM
When I’m asked to identify key components that I feel are central to the success of our UIL music programs, one of the first elements that comes to mind is our committee structure. We are blessed with countless directors and music educators who are highly capable and ever willing to serve on committees appointed to guide many facets of our UIL music competitions. This talent pool remains a priceless resource for the good and betterment of our programs. In addition, the engagement of rank and file teachers who are “in the trenches” helps ensure that our events are relevant and in sync with our curriculum and educational objectives.
Committees consist of five to seven members, and in each case, appointees serve rotating terms so there is always sufficient overlap to ensure consistency and continuity. There is also a commitment to maintaining a balance between large schools and small schools as well as middle schools and high schools
It’s Time to Write the Rating Down
By Mark McGahey, TMAA Concert Band Vice President | Thursday, January 24, 2013 12:47 PM
At the conclusion of a band’s performance at a UIL contest, our job, as music adjudicators, is to give our professional opinion of the performance. What criteria should we use when deciding the rating?
1] Write the summary for tone, technique and musicianship. Remember, we are evaluating the band’s overall achievement, not just a summary of each of the three concert selections.
January Gives Us Time to Think and Plan for Future
By Richard Floyd, Music Director | Thursday, January 24, 2013 12:35 PM
If there is such a thing, January is perhaps one of the quietest times of the year in the UIL State Music Office. Why? Marching season is behind us, the TMEA Convention is just around the corner and directors are busily preparing for Region Solo and Ensemble Contests while planning their spring concert programs. Most phone calls and emails have to do with solo and ensemble issues or questions about specific repertoire performance requirements. We take great pride in answering all inquiries in 24 hours or less.
So, what else do we do? Many years ago while I was still on the faculty at Baylor University, I had a colleague who was a history professor say to me, “Dick, sometimes we forget that one of the things the university pays us to do is to sit and think.” I never forgot that comment, and I took it to heart. Sometimes it is wise and productive to simply step back, ask ourselves probing questions and take stock of where we are and where we are going. In other words, think. January gives us an advantageous opportunity to do so.
Contest Evaluations Should be Both Postive and Instructive
By Bill Duggan, President of TMAA | Tuesday, November 20, 2012 11:00 AM
Greetings from TMAA! I hope you are having a productive fall.
Most of you are well into a new school year and I hope your experiences thus far have met or exceeded your goals and expectations. I also hope our retired members are fishing, hunting, birding, traveling or whatever makes them happy.
I suppose many of you had the pleasure of judging marching contests throughout the state this fall. I know you were impressed as I was with the quality of our marching bands and how they continue to raise the bar year after year. I’m certain the performances of our choirs, orchestras, and concert bands in the spring will be equally impressive. Congratulations to the UIL State Marching Band winners: in 3A, Argyle High School directed by Kathy Johnson and in 5A, Marcus High School directed by Amanda Drinkwater. All of the bands at the State UIL Marching Contest were outstanding, and these two were particularly special.
‘They’ Don’t Make the Rules for Music; We All Can Have Input
By Richard Floyd, Music Director | Tuesday, November 20, 2012 10:55 AM
“They did it to us again!” “UIL better wake-up and figure out what they are doing wrong.” “Those people in Austin are out of touch.” “Who makes our rules anyway?”
Comments and questions like this can be heard in the exhibit halls at our annual conventions, read on social media chat boards and, in all likelihood, appear on countless Facebook pages. The implication is that rules are made behind closed doors and directors have little or no say in the structure of our contest rules and regulations. It is that mysterious “they” that controls our destiny.
But, in reality, there is no “they.” The UIL is “us.” In large part, we make the rules that structure our music competitions. Collectively the music educators of the state of Texas, in cooperation with school administrators, have the opportunity to shape, mold and modify virtually every segment of the UIL Music Plan. Each year rules are examined, proposals considered and modifications adopted in an effort to keep our contests educationally sound and relevant to our evolving educational climate.
Live Streaming Makes Band Contest More Than a ‘Texas Happening”
By Jeanne Acton, Journalism Director | Tuesday, November 20, 2012 10:21 AM
Austin Bowie High School took fourth place at the 5A State Marching Band Contest.
Photo by Jeanne Acton
On Nov. 5 and 6, thousands of high school band students filled the Alamodome with their artistry and musical talent for the 3A and 5A UIL State Marching Band Contest.
And while thousands of parents and fans filled the stadium to watch the performances, more than 3,500 watched from the comfort of their homes and schools.
For the second year in a row the State Marching Band Contest was streamed live over the internet by Mr. Video.
“What the viewers saw was exactly what was on the video wall in the Alamodome and also the content of the DVDs that are produced after the concert,” Music Director Richard Floyd said.
Floyd said the webcast has several benefits. First, it gives parents and members of the communities represented in the competition who could not make the trip to San Antonio the opportunity to view their students in the actual performances.