Mastering Music Selection for UIL Concert Band Evaluations: Essential Do's and Don'ts

Choosing the right music for UIL Concert Band Evaluations can make or break your band's performance and overall rating. The process requires careful thought, balancing the skill level of your ensemble with the expectations of the judges and the UIL guidelines. This post breaks down the essential do's and don'ts to help band directors and students make smart, strategic choices that highlight their strengths and meet UIL standards.

Understand UIL Requirements Clearly

Before selecting any music, know the UIL rules inside and out. UIL provides specific guidelines on the requirements, grade levels, and number of pieces required for evaluation. If you have any questions concerning these requirements, contact your regional Executive Secretary.

• Do check the UIL Concert Band Prescribed Music List for approved selections for each grade level.

• Do confirm the required difficulty level for your band’s classification.

• Do make sure to enter your contest on time. Refer to your region website for entry deadlines and requirements as these can differ from region to region.

• Don't program more than one selection by the same composer.

• Don’t forget to order your judges scores as soon as you determine your program. You will need three additional scores and they will need to have measures numbered before contest day.

• Don’t ignore updates or changes in UIL rules each year. Refer to the Constitution and Contest Rules (C&CR) for any updates.

  
  

Following these rules prevents disqualification and ensures your band is evaluated fairly.

Match Music to Your Band’s Skill Level

Selecting music that fits your band’s current abilities is crucial. Choosing pieces that are too easy won’t showcase your band’s potential and can lead to student boredom and apathy while programming overly difficult music can lead to poor execution and frustration.

• Do assess your band’s technical skills, tone quality, and ensemble balance honestly.

• Do pick music that challenges your band but remains achievable with practice.

• Don’t select pieces that require advanced techniques your players haven’t mastered.

• Don’t overlook the importance of rehearsal time needed to prepare the music well.

  
  

For example, if your band struggles with slow, lyrical pieces, avoid programming this type of piece for UIL. You can always perform this type of music at other concerts during the year. Although I love these type of pieces and programmed them regularly with my band, they are NOT a requirement for UIL.

Choose a Balanced Program

UIL evaluations require a program of three pieces: a march (non-PML), and two required PML selections. Your music choices should create a balanced and engaging program as much as possible.

• Do try to select contrasting pieces that show different styles, key signatures, and technical demands.

• Do include a mix of tempos and dynamics to keep the performers and adjudicators interested.

• Don’t pick three pieces that sound too similar or are all in the same key. (This is not a rule, just an educational philosophy).

• Don’t ignore the importance of the sight-reading piece; alot time in rehearsal to prepare your band for it. For example, on Friday's I would sight-read and then record my bands concert selections for study over the weekend.

  
  

Many directors of young bands will program a lyrical piece for contrast even though it may not be appropriate for their band. Consider programming music that represents different cultures (styles), time signatures, and tempos (Moderate and Allegro) instead. The PML has a very diverse list of music at all grade levels.

Consider Instrumentation and Ensemble Size

Some pieces require specific instruments or larger ensembles. Make sure your band can cover all parts effectively.

• Do review the instrumentation requirements of each piece carefully.

• Do make sure any solo's are appropriate for your band.

• Don’t choose music that calls for instruments your band doesn’t have or isn't doubled in another part.

• Don’t underestimate the impact of missing or weak parts on the overall sound.

  
  

If your band lacks a full complement of low brass or woodwinds, avoid pieces that rely heavily on those sections. Instead, pick music that suits your ensemble’s makeup.

Prioritize Quality Over Quantity (Most Played)

Popular or well-known pieces might seem like a safe choice, but they aren’t always the best fit for UIL evaluations.

• Do choose music with strong musical content and clear structure.

• Do focus on pieces that allow your band to demonstrate tone, balance, and expression.

• Don’t pick music just because it’s popular or frequently performed for UIL.

• Don’t sacrifice musicality for familiarity.

  
  

For instance, a lesser-known but well-crafted piece that fits your band will impress judges more than a popular tune that your band struggles to perform well. You also risk popular pieces being performed several times at the same contest and could lead to natural comparisons, even though UIL C&SR is an evaluation, not a contest, and is judged against a standard (rubric), not band to band.

Prepare Your Band Thoroughly

Once you select your music, preparation is key to success.

• Do plan your preparation timeline with specific dates for student assessment (pass-offs)

• Do work on intonation, dynamics, phrasing, style and articulation to polish the performance.

• Don’t rush through music without addressing problem areas. Have specific sections of the music to work each day on each piece.

• Don’t neglect sight-reading practice, as it is a significant part of the evaluation.

  
  

Plan weekly sectionals and individual practice to build confidence and accuracy. Pass-offs (student assessment grades) are highly encouraged. Schedule pass-offs at the beginning of your contest preparation with specific sections for performance and give the students this information so that they know when each part of the music is due. I did many of these as video assignments which allowed students to re-record until they were satisfied with their performance which reinforces individual practice. I also did in person pass-offs on the final pass-off (full piece) to better evaluate tone quality and dynamic contrast which can be hard to evaluate depending on the quality of the video recording.

Avoid Common Pitfalls

Certain mistakes can undermine your band’s performance and score.

• Don’t ignore the importance of tempo markings and stylistic details.

• Don’t overlook the need for dynamic contrast and phrasing.

• Don't get in a hurry - focus on fundamentals daily and align these with your music demands.

• Don’t rehearse with poor intonation. Make sure you address intonation daily and have an efficient system for tuning your band. Solely relying on your band to use individual tuners is not a recipe for success.

  
  

Paying attention to these details will elevate your band’s performance and provide a better experience for your students.

Use Feedback to Improve Future Selections

After the evaluation, review judges’ comments carefully.

• Do analyze what worked well and what didn’t in your music choices.

• Do involve your students in the feedback process to build awareness.

• Don’t repeat the same mistakes in future UIL evaluations.

• Don’t ignore constructive criticism; use it to grow.

  
  

This reflection helps refine your music selection strategy year after year.

Conclusion

My perspective on this subject comes from several viewpoints: 28 years of successful band directing, working with young teachers as a student teacher supervisor, current role as a UIL Executive Secretary, and working with several programs as a clinician and mentor.

Currently, I am helping several directors with their selections and I find that many young teachers base their initial music selection on their own high school band experience and believe that you have to program a lyrical piece, or a 3A school has to play all grade 3 selections, when neither of these scenarios are true.

There are so many great pieces on the UIL PML and I encourage you to take adequate time to study, listen and sight read before making your final selections. The JW Pepper website is a great resource for listening and score study. One rule of thumb, especially for young bands: if you can't get through the piece on the initial read, it's probably not a good selection for UIL evaluation.

Best of luck with your spring performances and contests!!

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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.net for additional blogs, resources and contact information.