Embracing Growth in Your Band Beyond UIL Concert and Sight Reading Ratings

CHRIS MCLELLAN
Mar 2
4 min read

Every year, bands across Texas prepare for the UIL Concert and Sight Reading Evaluation, a key event that measures performance through ratings. While these ratings provide valuable feedback, focusing solely on them can limit your band’s potential. Growth in music is a continuous journey that goes beyond a number or letter grade. This post explores how bands can embrace growth no matter what rating they receive, turning every experience into a stepping stone for improvement.

Understanding the Purpose of UIL Evaluations

UIL Concert and Sight Reading Evaluations serve as a benchmark for bands to assess their current skill level. The ratings, ranging from Division I (Superior) to Division V (Poor), offer a snapshot of performance quality. However, these ratings are just one part of a larger picture.

Concert Performance evaluates tone, balance, intonation, and musical expression.
Sight Reading tests the band’s ability to perform unfamiliar music accurately and confidently.

While these elements are important, they do not capture the full scope of a band’s progress or potential.

Why Ratings Should Not Define Your Band

Many directors and students feel pressure to achieve the highest rating possible. This pressure can overshadow the real value of the learning process. Here’s why ratings should not be the sole focus:

Ratings reflect one moment in time. A band’s performance on evaluation day depends on many factors, including nerves, health, and even the acoustics of the room.
Growth happens over time. Improvement in musicianship, teamwork, and discipline develops through consistent practice and reflection.
Music is about expression, not perfection. A rating does not measure the joy, creativity, or connection that music brings to players and audiences.

By shifting the focus from ratings to growth, bands can foster a healthier, more motivating environment.

Setting Growth Goals for Your Band

Growth requires clear goals that go beyond the evaluation score. Consider these areas for setting meaningful objectives:

Technical skills: Improve tone quality, articulation, and rhythm accuracy.
Musicality: Develop phrasing, dynamics, and emotional expression.
Sight reading: Build confidence and accuracy with new music.
Ensemble skills: Enhance listening, balance, blend, and intonation within the group.
Personal growth: Encourage responsibility, teamwork, and leadership among members.

For example, instead of aiming solely for a Division I rating, a band might focus on improving intonation and sight reading accuracy by 20% over the next semester. This approach creates measurable progress that benefits the band beyond competition.

Using Feedback Constructively

UIL judges provide written comments along with ratings. These comments are a valuable resource for growth. Here’s how to use them effectively:

Review feedback as a team. Discuss strengths and areas for improvement openly.
Create action plans. Identify specific exercises or rehearsals to address weaknesses.
Celebrate progress. Acknowledge improvements, even if the rating remains the same.
Avoid taking criticism personally. Use it as a tool for learning, not judgment.

For instance, if judges note inconsistent balance, the band can focus rehearsals on balance exercises and listening skills. (Chorales are a great tool for this!)

Encouraging a Growth Mindset in Students

Directors play a key role in shaping how students perceive ratings and feedback. Promoting a growth mindset helps students see challenges as opportunities:

Your reaction to a performance or rating plays a key role in the student's experience.
Praise effort and improvement, not just results.
Model resilience by sharing your own learning experiences.
Discuss daily goals at the beginning of rehearsal and whether or not they were reached at the end of rehearsal to develop a daily growth mindset. Reaching daily goals on a consistent basis is paramount to overall growth.

When students understand that growth is a process, they become more motivated and less discouraged by ratings.

Practical Steps to Foster Growth Year-Round

Growth does not stop after UIL evaluations. Here are practical ways to keep improving throughout the year:

Regular self-assessments. Record rehearsals and performances to track progress.
Student Pass-offs: Requiring students to pass-off their music to measure growth and encourage practice.
Sectional rehearsals. Focus on specific instrument groups to address unique challenges.
Workshops and clinics. Invite guest clinicians to provide fresh perspectives.
Goal setting sessions. Have students set personal and group goals regularly.
Encourage listening. Assign recordings of professional ensembles for study.

For example, a band might schedule weekly sectional rehearsals to tackle technical challenges identified in their music.

Celebrating Success Beyond Ratings

Success in music is not limited to UIL ratings. Celebrate achievements such as:

Improved individual skills.
Stronger ensemble cohesion.
Increased student confidence.
Positive audience reactions at concerts.
Growth in leadership and responsibility.

Recognizing these successes builds morale and reinforces the value of continuous growth.

In Conclusion:

We all have received ratings that we didn't like or think we earned. Music is a subjective art form and subject to opinion. Remember, opinions are based on one performance, one moment in time. When you receive your results, take time to read the comments, listen to the recording, and reflect on the process. Your initial impulse may be to set blame on the judges, the venue, or a host of other reasons, but what purpose does that serve? Focus on the process, one day at a time with daily goals and weekly benchmarks, enjoy making music with your students, model high expectations, and the ratings will take care of themselves.

Wishing you all an enjoyable season of growth with your students!

If these ideas resonate with you, consider checking out my new book which is available at: https://www.mclellanbandconsulting.com/product-page/the-unconducted-curriculum-book-digital-files

Chris McLellan retired in 2021 as Director of Bands for Springtown ISD and currently serves as Executive Secretary for UIL Region 7. Additionally, Chris is a clinical teacher supervisor for Tarleton State University and the University of North Texas Band programs as well as an active mentor and clinician for numerous band programs across Texas. Please visit mclellanbandconsulting.com for additional blogs, resources and contact information.