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.
Section 1111 (g) (4) in the 2013-2014 Constitution and Contest Rules eliminates the requirement for choral groups to close their music at the end of the instruction period prior to the first performance at the sight-reading contest. Although we were able to eliminate this requirement in the spring prior to the choral concert and sight-reading contests, the language was not changed in the C&CR until the 2013-2014 edition. This adjustment should ease the logistical transition from the initial instruction period into the first performance, while keeping the students focused on the task at hand.
Section 1110 (g) (7) (c) in the 2013-2014 Constitution and Contest Rules is a new provision allowing a region executive committee to impose more restrictive performance time limits at the concert contest. Although bands and orchestras are given a maximum of 45 minutes and choirs are given a maximum of 20 minutes at the concert contest, there has not been a written option to reduce those times for non-varsity groups or younger groups performing shorter programs. This allowance will assist the region contest organizers with creating more efficiently scheduled contests, which in turn should also minimize the time that students miss class.
On Wednesday, Sept. 11, the Standing Committee on Music and Technical Advisory Committee will meet. One of the action items that will be discussed at this meeting is the possibility of capping the number of bands advancing from the Area Marching Contests to five. In other words, one band for every five competing bands – not to exceed five – would advance. Although this proposal was rejected by the Music Advisory Committee this summer in San Antonio, it will remain an agenda item for this meeting.
I would like to encourage all marching band directors to be proactive in planning your band’s field entry, paying close attention to the rules in the C&CR that pertain to the five minutes prior to the eight-minute adjudicated portion of your show. Finally, should you have any questions concerning use of electronics please refer to our website for the Q&A at https://www.uiltexas.org/files/music/marching_band-electronics-q-a.pdf or contact us for clarification at music@uiltexas.org or (512) 471-5883.