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 frequently from your lips. And even if you're not from Texas, but are 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 taken from the UIL website: "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 variety 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 it has been emulated in state school systems across the country.
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 skill level of the individual or entire group of musicians involved in the competition. Choosing the proper sheet music is therefore one of the most difficult pieces of the UIL processes.
Students desire to earn that Division One Rating at the region competitions, so that they are eligible 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 in every state.
UIL is much, much more than just a competition. In just about every music circle, you'll hear debates about the merits of the UIL completion and how it relates to the arts. Some argue that music and the arts are creative pursuits, and that there is really no fair way to judge creativity.
Yet (again from the Web site 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.
If there is one area of agreement between detractors and defenders, it is that the UIL provides an unparalleled opportunity for students and school music programs to showcase their talent. The UIL ultimately gives students a far deeper appreciation for their art and participation in the annual competitions provides them with memories to last a lifetime.
There are 28 UIL divisions, or regions, in the state of Texas and competitions are held for a wide variety 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 it has been emulated in state school systems across the country.
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 skill level of the individual or entire group of musicians involved in the competition. Choosing the proper sheet music is therefore one of the most difficult pieces of the UIL processes.
Students desire to earn that Division One Rating at the region competitions, so that they are eligible 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 in every state.
UIL is much, much more than just a competition. In just about every music circle, you'll hear debates about the merits of the UIL completion and how it relates to the arts. Some argue that music and the arts are creative pursuits, and that there is really no fair way to judge creativity.
Yet (again from the Web site 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.
If there is one area of agreement between detractors and defenders, it is that the UIL provides an unparalleled opportunity for students and school music programs to showcase their talent. The UIL ultimately gives students a far deeper appreciation for their art and participation in the annual competitions provides them with memories to last a lifetime.
About the Author:
When you need Texas UIL sheet music, Pender's Music Company is at your service. We carry the entire Texas UIL prescribed music list and offer flexible billing options for qualifying schools. Count on Pender's Music Company for all your sheet music needs.
