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UIL Question?

Posted by ovwrkdnundrpd on 3/4/2025, 10:23 am

I have always worn a suit to UIL. Does anyone just wear a shirt and tie or just their Staff polo? Would it be frowned upon to just wear the staff polo with dress pants?

Re: UIL Question?

Posted by Me on 3/8/2025, 5:26 pm, in reply to "UIL Question?"

I wear jeans to school every single day and much prefer to be casual, but I would not do a polo for UIL.
Last year I wore dress slacks and a sport coat - no tie.
This year I wore all black with a tie - no jacket.
Both times judges commented that the kids looked nice. Didn't mention me.

Re: UIL Question?

Posted by Judgement on 3/8/2025, 8:42 am, in reply to "UIL Question?"

I believe a director should dress up to UIL. For a guy, I think a coat should be worn to UIL myself. I hate ties, but there are dressier ways around it other than polos/slacks. Coregami makes some great shirts that are in mandarin style collars that work great for that. They're dressed up, but you can avoid the tie.

I went away from wearing a suit to marching contest for a few years since nearly everyone around me does polos and slacks. I returned to a suit and tie the year before this one because I know that the kids see things as more serious when I do. It's like there's a switch in their brains and they realize it is a 'real' contest.

The same is true when you go to Concert UIL.

No one should be penalized at UIL for not following this, but at the same time, if I'm torn between ratings on a sheet... If I see you and the kids took the extra effort and time to wear concert clothes, I will probably go with the higher rating. I'll probably go with the lower rating if you're in a mishmash of jeans, t-shirts, and other non-concert clothes. I definitely remember a band in that situation last year, and I know at the very least that school could have used their marching uniforms if they felt kids couldn't afford other clothes. (If you're clearly 'in uniform' with polos and slacks, or even possibly all the same shirts and jeans I won't hold that against someone)

Re: UIL Question?

Posted by James on 3/7/2025, 7:32 am, in reply to "UIL Question?"

I wore slacks, dress shirt, and tie but my kids were in their "Sunday best" since we are lacking in uniforms. I have never in my 24 years been criticized for not wearing a full coat and tie/suit. I have worn full suit, shirt and tie, jacket and dress shirt without tie, and tuxedo but it depends on weather and what your kids wear.

Re: UIL Question?

Posted by My opinion on 3/5/2025, 7:17 am, in reply to "UIL Question?"

Wear at least a suit.

If anything it shows your students how important this event is in the program.

Yes, I believe that a staff polo shirt would be frowned upon. As a judge I've seen some directors wear worse, even though I judge based on what is performed on the stage (or SR/Music Literacy room).

Re: UIL Question?

Posted by George on 3/4/2025, 10:20 pm, in reply to "UIL Question?"

I see it more often now, but I would go for the suit and tie.

Re: UIL Question?

Posted by SouthEast Central on 3/4/2025, 6:47 pm, in reply to "UIL Question?"

To me, there’s two inherent parts to your question.

One, is it OK to “dress down” at UIL.

Two, is your choice of dressing down appropriate.

I would say to be honest, it depends on what you’re asking your students to wear. If your students are in concert black, tuxes, or uniforms, you need to be at least at their level or one step higher. That means suit and tie if not concert black or tux on your own.

If your kids are showing up wearing a dress shirt and bowtie/concert dress, which is common at some middle school programs, you should again be one step above, and at least wearing a jacket. Band t-shirts? Probably get away with a shirt and tie.

However, in my old man opinion, you should show the judges that you are taking the event and the evaluation seriously. Dress professionally, dress appropriately for the event, and wear a suit and tie.

Of course, I am old-school enough to believe that band directors should still be wearing a suit and tie to marching band contest as well. Younger people disagree. But remember, younger people aren’t judging you. Older generation X directors/younger Boomers and retired directors are.

Re: UIL Question?

Posted by BDSO on 3/4/2025, 5:42 pm, in reply to "UIL Question?"

I wore a solid black dress shirt, black dress pants, and a solid black neck tie last year. No jacket. I basically matched the students except I wore a tie. I don't think I would go with just a band polo and dress pants, but on the rubric and forms 4/5 there is nothing about how the director is dressed. I think it just shows a certain amount of respect for the event.

Re: UIL Question?

Posted by FW24 on 3/10/2025, 10:18 am, in reply to "Re: UIL Question?"

This will be year 15 for me as a head director....I've always worn a tux. Something I was taught years ago, and it's just stuck with me. Marching season because of the weather i'll wear slacks and a nice polo that I make sure is school colors

Re: UIL Question?

Posted by BDSO on 3/10/2025, 6:01 pm, in reply to "Re: UIL Question?"

My first 20 years, I wore a tux. Nice double classic (i.e. vintage style) double breasted (hate "crumb catchers"), white piqué shirt with patent leather shoes. The wife always said I like I stepped out of a 1940s Bogie movie (which I took as a complement). The past seven years, it's been an inexpensive black suit (JCP brand) with a black shirt and black tie. I'm thinking that my last few years I may just go in a black shirt and slacks like some of conductors of famous orchestras do. I think as long as your appearance doesn't distract from the performance and is venue appropriate, it doesn't really matter.

Re: UIL Question?

Posted by TrumpetMan on 3/6/2025, 9:57 pm, in reply to "Re: UIL Question?"

What about the "Don Johnson" look from Miami Vice? Nice tshirt-like shirt with coat over it and slacks? Has worked for me at church for years...just another suggestion

Re: UIL Question?

Posted by Respectfully on 3/5/2025, 9:52 am, in reply to "Re: UIL Question?"

You're right, there is nothing on the forms about it.

But until we're judged by robots who have zero human emotion, the "human factor" applies - and judges will prejudice themselves based upon what they see and how ensembles are presented.

Re: UIL Question?

Posted by Concur... on 3/5/2025, 9:24 am, in reply to "Re: UIL Question?"

...I wear a suit, the kids wear "black on top, black on bottom". I was taught that the director wears "one level higher" dress than the band does. With that said, I don't think I would say anything if a director chose to wear what they asked the kids to wear (within reason, the first HBD I worked for had the JH bands wear white t-shirts and jeans, HS band wore the uniform).

Temperature might play a factor in dress. Last year, even at an early contest date, the humidity & temps were sky high...to the point that when a storm started when we were in sightreading, and you could hear the rain just beating on the metal roof of the room. I was soaked in sweat almost as soon as we got off the bus in a suit. As an aside, in SR there was a loud clap of thunder conviently timed when there was a big bass drum strike in the music!

Re: UIL Question?

Posted by op on 3/5/2025, 7:32 am, in reply to "Re: UIL Question?"

Mine is a medical reason. Medication is making it swell around neck when the collar or tie rubs it. When I sweat its even worse. This will be the first time I have never worn a suit to any competition or concert period. Its not that I don't want to, this year is a bad year for me health wise.

Re: UIL Question?

Posted by FW24 on 3/10/2025, 10:21 am, in reply to "Re: UIL Question?"

Medical is a whole different reason. Judges shouldn't care (although we all know there's always "that one"), but if you know one of them you might just mention why you aren't dressed up like you've always been.

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