State Wind Ensemble Festival Provides a Unique Musical Opportunity
By Richard Floyd, Director of Music | Thursday, September 30, 2010 1:14 PM
The State Wind Ensemble Contest was established in 1976 as a part of the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest. During the years that followed, this event gradually evolved into the festival format that is in place today. It is now referred to as the State Wind Ensemble Festival (SWEF). It is viewed to be an educationally rewarding and positive experience for all participants. This year this prestigious event is scheduled for May 7.
Much of the success of this event has been attributed to the Clinician/Commentator component of the format. This feature allows each performing group to have a 30-minute post concert clinic/critique with a nationally recognized conductor/educator. The focus of the event is on the subjective, artistic elements of music performance rather than the objective, technical details that tend to dominate critiques in a totally competitive setting.
With the approval of the UIL/TMEA Music Advisory Committee and the UIL Legislative Council the event was modified in 2000 to what many would term a festival format. The intent of this revision was to build on the most successful elements of SWEF, which cultivate the positive aspects of making music for music’s sake rather than the attainment of an objective rating. In addition a listening component has been added to emphasize the very important value of becoming good audience members as well as accomplished performers.
Participants in the 2011 State Wind Ensemble Festival can anticipate experiencing the following:
• A recorded and written critique of each band’s performance by three nationally recognized music educators and wind band conductors. The panel will not assign ratings or pick an outstanding band in each classification.
• In addition, the audio recording of each performance will be webcast in real time so parents, relatives and friends in the local community will be able to listen to the concerts.
• In place of ratings and outstanding band awards, the evaluator panel will honor individual performers and/or sections for exemplary musical achievements. Appropriate awards (draped state medals) will be provided.
• In order to integrate the “listening portion” of the experience into the event, each band will be expected to structure a schedule that will enable the students to listen to the performance of two other performing groups over the course of the day. The listening schedule will be coordinated by the UIL State Music Office prior to the day of the festival. Consideration will be given to individual band travel schedules. It is our goal to insure that every band will perform for an audience of fellow musicians and directors from other schools.
• A 30 minute clinic with a nationally recognized collegiate wind band conductor.
Formats similar to this are being used at some of the most positive and educationally sound events in the nation. Results have been overwhelmingly favorable. The success of this venture is dependent on participants having an understanding of the following:
(1) All participants have “made their one.” That achievement at the UIL Region Contest earned them the privilege to perform on the Bates Recital Hall Stage, home of the University of Texas Wind Ensemble.
(2) The goal of this event is not to acquire a favorable judge’s rating, win a trophy or “beat the other bands.” Rather the goal is to accept the challenge of making music for the sole purpose of performing at the highest level of musical excellence possible for an appreciative, supportive audience in an optimum acoustical space.
(3) A corollary to the goal is the expectation that everyone will have the opportunity to be appreciative listeners as others perform in a formal concert setting.
Reports indicate that some of the most successful and competitive band programs in the nation have found this format to be challenging, rewarding and educational. In fact, many say their students “try harder” in this setting than they do at a traditional contest.
Participation in the event is limited because of judge's schedules and the availability of performance sites. Hence, it is likely that more schools will be submitting entries than can be accommodated. Directors of bands considering participation in the 2010 SWEF should be aware of the fact that submitting an entry does not guarantee a performance time and that the following procedure for processing entries will be followed:
(1) Since many region contests do not take place until after April 1 it is not necessary to wait until after a Division One is earned to enter the contest. A letter of intent can be submitted at anytime. The letter should not include a check for the entry fee.
(2) Letters of intent will be accepted via e-mail or snail mail by date stamp or postmark.
(3) Letters of intent will be held by the UIL office in the order they are received until the results of the Region Contests are known. Bands receiving a Division One will then be officially entered in the contest based on availability of performance times.
(4) Official entry forms and entry fees ($225) will be due once schools are notified that they have been assigned a performance time.
(5) Additional schools with letters of intent on file will be placed on a waiting list.
Questions concerning entry procedures are welcome at (512) 471-5883 or uilmusic@uts.cc.utexas.edu.
The evaluator/clinician panel for the 2011 SWEF is as follows:
JERRY JUNKIN serves as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Dallas Wind Symphony, as well as Director of Bands The University of Texas at Austin, where he also holds the title of University Distinguished Teaching Professor. In addition, in 2003 he was appointed Music Director and Conductor of the Hong Kong Wind Philharmonia. Maintaining an active schedule as a guest conductor, clinician and lecturer, he has appeared in those capacities in 48 states and on five continents.
SCOTT HANNA serves as Assistant Director of Bands at The University of Texas at Austin, Music Director of the Chamber Winds and Associate Director of the Longhorn Band. He teaches courses in conducting and chamber music and was Associate Director of the School of Music from 2003 to 2008. As Music Director of the UT Chamber Winds, Dr. Hanna has led performances of that ensemble at the 2002 and 2004 College Band Directors National Association Southwestern Division Conference.
KEVIN SEDATOLE serves as Director of Bands, Professor of Music and Chair of the Conducting Area at the Michigan State University College of Music. Prior to joining MSU, he was Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Conducting at Baylor University and also served as Associate Director of Bands at the University of Texas and Director of the Longhorn Band. Kevin routinely conducts honor bands and all state bands throughout the nation. In addition, under his direction the Michigan State University Wind Ensemble has performed at the Midwest Clinic.
STEVEN D. DAVIS is Director of Bands and Wind Ensembles, Associate Professor of Conducting, Conservatory Faculty and Large Ensembles Chair and Conductor of the Conservatory Wind Symphony at the University of Missouri at Kansas City. He coordinates the graduate program in wind ensemble conducting and guides all aspects of the UMKC band program. In 2010–11 he will make appearances as a guest conductor throughout nine states and serves as the Artist in Residence and conductor for the Thailand International Composition Festival in Bangkok.
In summary, the advantages and benefits of participation are as follows:
• The contest is a prestigious event limited only to those receiving a Division One at their region contest.
• The adjudication panel annually includes some of the outstanding wind ensemble conductors in the nation. This year will be no exception.
• Taped critiques are provided by the judging panel for each ensemble. Musicianship, including such factors as style and interpretation, will receive a high priority in all evaluations.
• Each band will receive a personal 30-minute session with a distinguished conductor/clinician.
• All concerts take place in the dramatic setting of the Bates Recital Hall on the University of Texas campus and spacious warm-up rooms are provided within the same facility.
• A complimentary, professional-quality compact disk recording of each performance is provided at no cost.
• The entry fee is only $225 per ensemble.
• Those groups desiring to stay overnight will find a variety of competitively priced accommodations throughout the Austin area (see our website http://www.uiltexas.org/music/state-wind-ensemble-festival under “Resources” for hotel/motel recommendations).
• Educational opportunities, including the LBJ Museum, the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum www.thestoryoftexas.com/ and the State Capitol are within walking distance or a short drive away.
• Recreational options include The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum and IMAX Theater, water sports at Barton Springs, outdoor activities in Zilker Park and shopping throughout the city. The many recreational opportunities of San Antonio are only 90 minutes away.