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Texas UIL Annual Music Competitions - Why They Matter
If you live in the state of Texas, and you're involved in music and education in the schools, then the two acronyms UIL and PML likely spill freely and often from your lips. And even if you're not from Texas, but you're involved in music education somewhere in this great country of ours, then you probably know what they mean, right? In case you don't, though, here's the information in a nutshell obtained from the UIL home page: "The University Interscholastic League (UIL) exists to provide educational extracurricular academic, athletic, and music contests for schools in Texas."
There are 28 UIL divisions, or regions, in the state of Texas and competitions are held for a wide array of categories. They include marching band, concert band, full and string orchestra and vocal and instrumental ensemble and solo competitions. The Texas UIL is the world's largest inter-school competition and has been emulated in state school systems nationwide.
No solo performer or performance group wants to play musical selections that are too easy or too difficult, so selecting the right sheet music from the PML is extremely important. Another consideration when selecting sheet music from the PML is making sure it is representative of the level of skill of the individual or entire group of musicians in the competition. Selecting the right sheet music is therefore one of the most difficult components of the UIL processes.
Students desire to earn that Division One Rating at the region competitions, so that they meet the requirements to advance to the UIL State Solo and Ensemble Contest that is traditionally hosted in Austin each year on Memorial Day Week-end. The annual trek is to Austin, because it was the University of Texas at Austin that developed the UIL in first place in 1910. So consider that. What has grown into the most significant inter-school organization of its kind in the world, has a more than one hundred year history, and the model from which it was created here in Texas is now emulated nationwide.
In its 100+ year history, the UIL has expanded in prominence and significance and generated more than its share of debates among those who question its relevance to the arts and people who see it as an integral part of any school music program. Detractors believe that there is no objective method to judge creative pursuits.
Yet (again from the Web pages of the UIL), "the Music Program [specifically]...is designed to support and enrich the teaching of music as an integral component of the public school curriculum in the state of Texas." Support...enrich...compete, too...and don't forget to play or sing that sheet music as creatively and expressively as you can. Because luckily for us, music and competition have and will continue to coexist beautifully together, because as anyone knows, the heart and soul of a school's music organization is its concert ensemble, whether it be the top-level choral group, or the elite wind ensemble in the band. It is by no coincidence at all that the best marching band programs are a direct reflection of the best concert bands; that the best a cappella choral groups are an extension of the premiere choir in the school; that the wind trios, brass quartets, and percussion ensembles that compete in the TX UIL are generally formed from the top players of their respective programs.
So play on and compete. Seek and find the best band sheet music, choir sheet music, and solo and ensemble music which speak not only to you, but to your students as well. The time to do it is now.
There are 28 UIL divisions, or regions, in the state of Texas and competitions are held for a wide array of categories. They include marching band, concert band, full and string orchestra and vocal and instrumental ensemble and solo competitions. The Texas UIL is the world's largest inter-school competition and has been emulated in state school systems nationwide.
No solo performer or performance group wants to play musical selections that are too easy or too difficult, so selecting the right sheet music from the PML is extremely important. Another consideration when selecting sheet music from the PML is making sure it is representative of the level of skill of the individual or entire group of musicians in the competition. Selecting the right sheet music is therefore one of the most difficult components of the UIL processes.
Students desire to earn that Division One Rating at the region competitions, so that they meet the requirements to advance to the UIL State Solo and Ensemble Contest that is traditionally hosted in Austin each year on Memorial Day Week-end. The annual trek is to Austin, because it was the University of Texas at Austin that developed the UIL in first place in 1910. So consider that. What has grown into the most significant inter-school organization of its kind in the world, has a more than one hundred year history, and the model from which it was created here in Texas is now emulated nationwide.
In its 100+ year history, the UIL has expanded in prominence and significance and generated more than its share of debates among those who question its relevance to the arts and people who see it as an integral part of any school music program. Detractors believe that there is no objective method to judge creative pursuits.
Yet (again from the Web pages of the UIL), "the Music Program [specifically]...is designed to support and enrich the teaching of music as an integral component of the public school curriculum in the state of Texas." Support...enrich...compete, too...and don't forget to play or sing that sheet music as creatively and expressively as you can. Because luckily for us, music and competition have and will continue to coexist beautifully together, because as anyone knows, the heart and soul of a school's music organization is its concert ensemble, whether it be the top-level choral group, or the elite wind ensemble in the band. It is by no coincidence at all that the best marching band programs are a direct reflection of the best concert bands; that the best a cappella choral groups are an extension of the premiere choir in the school; that the wind trios, brass quartets, and percussion ensembles that compete in the TX UIL are generally formed from the top players of their respective programs.
So play on and compete. Seek and find the best band sheet music, choir sheet music, and solo and ensemble music which speak not only to you, but to your students as well. The time to do it is now.
About the Author:
When you need UIL music, Pender's Music Company has what you're looking for. Pender's Music Company is your complete source for sheet music for every occasion.
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