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Introduction:
In Texas, an organization called the University Interscholastic
League (UIL) is responsible for overseeing competitions among pubic
schools. This includes music, drama, languages, athletics, etc. UIL also
creates and maintains extensive rules and regulations for all of its activities.
You can learn more about the UIL at their homepage.
The PML:
Every four years, the Music area of UIL publishes a list of compositions
authorized for use in UIL-sanctioned events; this list is referred to as
the PML (Prescribed Music List). It includes works from the wind,
string, and vocal genres and classifies them according to difficulty level
and media (ensemble or solo). The music for band is divided into 5 grades,
"Grade 1" being the most simple (for young bands or small schools) and
"Grade 5" being the most challenging (large high school bands).
Band Contest Requirements:
Public school bands that participate in the annual, state-wide UIL
Concert and Sightreading Contest (held each spring) must select two
works from the PML as well as a third selection (not required to come from
the PML), most frequently a march.
School Conference Designation:
In general, schools across the state are categorized into "conferences"
which are determined mostly by school enrollment population. The first
(or only) band at a school is designated as a "Varsity" band; second and
subsequent bands at the same school are classified as "Non-Varsity." These
two criteria (conference and classification) determine which level of graded
music a band must select for performance at contest.
Music Selection:
Middle school bands select from the Grade 1 and Grade 2 levels. According
to the band's conference, the requirements are: (a) two "Grade 1" pieces,
(b) one "Grade 1" and one "Grade 2" work, or (c) two "Grade 2" pieces.
Bands are allowed to choose music from higher grade levels should they
desire to do so. |