Recent Site News & Updates
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2024-26 Music Alignments Announced
While the number of schools competing at an area marching band contest is largely determined by the first division rating required to qualify, the 2024-26 alignment is projected to result in an improved statewide balance of number of competing bands at each site. For those area contests that have reached critical mass in recent years the 2024-26 alignment is projected to shorten the contest day, which improves contest logistics, helps facilitate an improved adjudication experience, and in the event of inclement weather delays better allow for both the preliminary round and final round to be completed.
Congratulations to B.L. Gray Junior High School UIL Students in Sharyland ISD!
Congratulations to these students, academic coaches, and administration for their great accomplishment at their district competition!
Good luck to all essay contest contestants!
Thank you to all students who submitted an essay for the Barbara Jordan Historical Essay Competition and Latino History Essay Competition. The finalists for these two events will be contacted by mid-April, and a list of these finalists will be posted on the UIL essay contest homepage.
Fall 2023 Marching Band Rules Advisory Committee Agenda
2024-26 Music alignment will be posted in the spring
Any updates to 2024-26 music alignment will be announced mid to late March.
2024-2026 Reclassification & Realignment Now Available!
The 2024-2026 Reclassification & Realignment is now available!
Football, Basketball and Volleyball alignments & the realignment packet can be found here.
Alignments for other events will be released as they become available (estimated Spring 2024).
UIL Essay Competition Deadline
The deadline to enter the essay competitions is February 14th, so make sure to submit your essay here. One essay could qualify you as a UIL state finalist!
Managing Your District Meet: For CX Meet Directors
Spring 2024 LD Debate Topic
January – May 2024 UIL Lincoln Douglas Debate Spring Topic now posted.
Resolved: On balance, the use of artificial intelligence in art, music, and literature is undesirable.
New breakthroughs in artificial intelligence are changing everything around us, including in the creative arts. The question raised by the Spring 2024 UIL Lincoln-Douglas debate topic is whether these changes are good or bad. Critics see many negative results: replacing human creativity with cheap imitations lacking soul or any understanding of the human experience; putting creative artists out of work; and lack of accountability for algorithmically stealing from the body of work done by great artists, musicians, and writers. Many of these issues were at the heart of the recent writers’ strike in Hollywood. But there are also many defenders who see AI as a tool that can be used to enhance human creativity. Creative artists who are embracing AI find that it makes their work more productive in several ways: it can automate mundane functions, promote brainstorming and help push through “writer’s block,” and serve as a research assistant. Ironically, the use of AI in the creative arts may actually increase the value – both artistically and financially – of works preserving the human touch. The 2024 Spring UIL Lincoln-Douglas topic offers an opportunity for debaters to explore these timely issues.
Rich Edwards, Ph.D.
Professor of Communication
Baylor University