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What to do if you underprogrammed for UIL

Posted by 5th year teacher on 2/27/2023, 2:14 pm

Between being told that the incoming class of 9th graders was "weaker" due to Covid, and being told to be cautious about what I program for UIL, I think I may have "underprogrammed", if that's even a thing.

I both underestimated my kids' playing ability and my teaching ability. Right now we are at a point where we can get through all the UIL pieces with right notes, rhythms, characteristic tone, correct style, etc. We are starting to work on nitty-gritty details but the problem is we don't go to contest until second week of April and my kids are already giving me blank stares like "ok, what's next?"

Other than working a lot on sight reading, what would you do? Start reading some spring concert music?

I think it's too late to re-program harder pieces at this point, unfortunately. Thanks for any advice

This is all for a high school second band btw

Re: What to do if you underprogrammed for UIL

Posted by MSBD on 3/10/2023, 7:41 am, in reply to "What to do if you underprogrammed for UIL"

Go get a 1. And if you REALLY feel that confident (I did one year and got a sweep), I took time to look at other pieces that would benefit their concert music and sight-reading even further. We also sight-read some levels above us.

Come time for UIL, and hearing back on that performance, it wasn't perfect and I now realize that I didn't underprogram.

Re: What to do if you underprogrammed for UIL

Posted by theo vaughn on 3/1/2023, 11:37 am, in reply to "What to do if you underprogrammed for UIL"

Go to UIL and get a 1

Re: What to do if you underprogrammed for UIL

Posted by Joe on 2/27/2023, 7:52 pm, in reply to "What to do if you underprogrammed for UIL"

Send rehearsal recordings to EVERYONE.

Ask for their feedback.

They will hear and suggest ideas that you do or hear.

Re: What to do if you underprogrammed for UIL

Posted by Nick on 2/27/2023, 3:54 pm, in reply to "What to do if you underprogrammed for UIL"

I’ve been at this a long time. You can never underprogram. If it meets the requirements and you’re nailing all of the small stuff already good for you. Get some clinicians to come and tighten that thing up even more. Work fundamentals hard. Grow their scale vocabulary. Learn new rhythms. Sight read! Start working on spring concert stuff too. Go get that trophy and maximize your time. Good luck!

Re: What to do if you underprogrammed for UIL

Posted by do more on 2/27/2023, 3:51 pm, in reply to "What to do if you underprogrammed for UIL"

Spend time working on what it means to be a musician. Work on decision making in music: where to make dynamic contrasts, how to find phrases. All the things that we typically tell them to do, but don't show them how to do. Do this in music that is not what you have been playing everyday. Read lots of new music. Play a concert of just marches. There is so much more to band than just the three tunes. Let your kids enjoy making music. Best wishes

Re: What to do if you underprogrammed for UIL

Posted by Some guy on 2/27/2023, 3:33 pm, in reply to "What to do if you underprogrammed for UIL"

I'm sort of there with you. We will be doing a lot of reading in preparation for the new SR process.

Also, I'm planning on passing out Spring Concert music before Spring Break so we can start reading that a little, too. We will have about 20 rehearsals between UIL and the Spring Concert, so I have picked a pretty salty set of pieces in efforts to push the students and take advantage of the extra time.

Re: What to do if you underprogrammed for UIL

Posted by Me on 2/27/2023, 2:47 pm, in reply to "What to do if you underprogrammed for UIL"

You didn’t over program. Spring break is coming up….just be happy and go get your 1

Re: What to do if you underprogrammed for UIL

Posted by Oldster on 3/4/2023, 5:50 am, in reply to "Re: What to do if you underprogrammed for UIL"

This!

Re: What to do if you underprogrammed for UIL

Posted by Me on 2/27/2023, 2:44 pm, in reply to "What to do if you underprogrammed for UIL"

Put the music away for a little bit. Maybe just hit a few small sections and then play music! Bring back the joy of just reading new music. It will help their reading and not have to drill the same 3 pieces.

Band directors are just as guilty, if not more so, of teaching to the "test". Teach new things and have fun!!!!

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