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2020 - 2021 Music Updates

Updated 1-26-21

Remote Learning

Students participating in remote learning offered by their school district, whether synchronous or asynchronous (as defined by TEA), may participate in UIL activities if they meet all other UIL eligibility requirements. Students must be enrolled in remote learning options through the school the student will represent. Schools may develop local policies with additional requirements for participation. You can find more information related to the full-time student rule in Section 406 UIL Constitution and Contest Rules 

Academic Eligibility-Credit Requirements

For the 2020-2021 school year, UIL eligibility requirements for the first six weeks of school have been modified to allow a student to be eligible for the first six weeks if they accumulated at least two and a half credits since the start of the 2019-2020 school year. Schools may impose additional requirements.  https://www.uiltexas.org/policy/covid-19

Region Executive Committee (REC) Concerns and Contest Schedules

  • The REC should meet to confirm Music contest schedules and safety protocols concerning the 2020-2021 school year.

  • The REC may combine region events with other regions due to limited participation.

  • At the discretion of the area executive committee, Area marching band sites may be combined; however, competing schools may not be combined. For example, due to limited participation areas B and C could have their contests at the same site on the same day, but only area B bands would be ranked against each other and only area C bands would be ranked against each other.

Practice and Rehearsal Regulations

  • Summer Marching Band
    • The 20-hour limit on supervised marching/visual fundamentals expires on July 31, 2020.

    • On August 1, 2020 schools may allow students to continue supervised marching/visual fundamentals through September 6, 2020, whether or not the instructional school year has started, while following all limits on practice and performance as outline in the rules for summer marching band practice.
  • Activities During the School Year
    • Practice or rehearsal on the extracurricular portion of the music activity during a school period may not exceed 60 minutes per day, or 300 minutes per week. Local school policy will determine the students who may attend.

    • Schools utilizing an instructional model other than a traditional in-person model may hold the extracurricular practice/rehearsal period any time during the day. This period is not required to be held during normal school hours.

    • Practice or rehearsal on the extracurricular portion of the music activity that occurs as part of the 60 minutes per day, or 300 minutes per week permitted during a school period does not count towards any practice or rehearsal time limits outside of the school day.
  • COVID-19 General Considerations
    • When planning music practices and rehearsals, schools may consider the most current data from the aerosol study sponsored in part by the National Federation of State High School Associations.

Activity Updates

  • Marching Band
    • The new region, area, and state adjudication sheets, scheduled for use in the 2020-2021 school year, have been delayed until at least the 2021-2022 school year. All 2020-2021 region, area, and state contests will utilize the 2019-2020 adjudication sheets. 
       
    • For the 2020-2021 school year the minimum performance time has been reduced from five minutes to four minutes.
       
    • For the 2020-2021 school year the field entrance and set up time has been increased from five minutes to six minutes. Therefore, each band’s announcement will begin with 45 seconds remaining on the six-minute field entrance clock.
       
    • For the 2020-2021 school year field exit time has been increased from two minutes to three minutes.
       
    • For the 2020-2021 school year each contest chair may schedule bands at intervals greater than fifteen minutes.
       
    • For the 2020-2021 school year each area and state contest shall consist of only one round.
       
    • For the 2020-2021 school year no full band retreats will be held at any contest.

       
  • Solo and Ensemble
    • Each music region may hold these events: in person traditional, in person by pods of schools, in person by school, or virtually.
       
    • The state solo and ensemble contest will be held virtually.

  • Mariachi

  • Concert and Sight-Reading
    • Each music region may hold these events: in person traditional, in person by pods of schools, in person by school, or virtually.
       
    • The requirement for a school to enter a varsity music ensemble when participating in concert and sight-reading evaluation for the 2020-21 school year has been waived. When completing the registration process with the music region, each school may declare the status – varsity, non-varsity, or sub-non-varsity - of each band, choir, and orchestra ensemble that participates in concert and sight-reading evaluation.
       
    • For the 2020-2021 school year the prescribed music list requirements and sight-reading levels have been adjusted.  The resulting sight-reading levels and associated time structures may be found here.
       
    • Band Sight-Reading .5 Criteria

    • Orchestra Sight Reading .5 Criteria

    • Choirs may utilize recorded accompaniment that is consistent the instrument(s) indicated in the published score.
       
    • Flex versions or adaptable arrangements of pieces on the PML may be substituted for the version on the PML, provided the substitution is considered to be unabridged to the version on the PML as defined at https://www.uiltexas.org/pml/.
       
  • Wind Ensemble


Virtual Events

  • Guidelines for Asynchronous Virtual Music Events

 

Marching Band Updated Calendar 

  • September 7: First Day to Begin Contest Show Visual/Marching Curriculum  

  • December 3: Region Contest Deadline for 2A/4A/6A 
     
  • December 9: 1A/2A/4A State Military Championships

  • December 10: Area Contest Deadline for 2A/4A/6A and Region Contest Deadline for 1A/3A/5A

  • December 12: 3A/5A Area Contest Deadline

  • December 14-15: 2A/4A/6A State Championships