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What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?

Posted by Hello on 4/5/2026, 2:21 pm

I’ve been told different things, so what is it really?

Do you earn sweepstakes when you:
-get a 1 from all six judges
-get an overall Superior rating in both concert & Sightreading
-get a Superior rating at Region marching, concert, and Sightreading

Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?

Posted by Old Dude on 4/13/2026, 9:27 am, in reply to "What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?"

So way back in the day, if you didn't participate at UIL marching, or didn't earn a first division at marching, but did pull one's in c&sr, you were awarded a "Special Award" plaque. In today's world that is a "Sweepstakes B" award. My class A band does not participate in marching. We do participate in c&sr. So, out B trophies do say "Sweepstakes" on them.

Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?

Posted by THIS on 4/8/2026, 12:22 pm, in reply to "What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?"

It is NOT a sweepstakes if you are a HS that gets ones at C/SR but not in marching or does not participate in marching.

You HAVE to get a 1 in all three events as a HS to get a sweepstakes. NO exceptions.

Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?

Posted by Except... on 4/9/2026, 7:36 am, in reply to "Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?"

...it is a sweepstakes, the four trophies are labeled as such. By your logic, MS/JH bands, except for the TWO that still march, can never qualify for a sweepstakes...even if they just won Honor Band.

Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?

Posted by Swamplander on 4/8/2026, 6:36 pm, in reply to "Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?"

Except literally you don’t. The trophies are labeled Sweep A and Sweep B. Sweep A is all 3. Sweep B is C/SR. It’s still called a sweep. It’s not the grand high poobah trophy, but it is still a sweep.

Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?

Posted by BDE on 4/7/2026, 4:18 pm, in reply to "What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?"

TLDR; Trophy = Sweepstakes. Plaque = Not Sweepstakes.

Marching/Concert is irrelevant for the term, but there is a bigger more prestigious trophy for achieving a trophy in both.

2/3 judges is all you need to give you a 1 in each category.

Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?

Posted by Doesn't matter on 4/7/2026, 2:36 pm, in reply to "What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?"

UIL ratings do not matter. It doesn't add years to your teaching credentials.

We need to move on from these terms and fix the issues within the system.

Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?

Posted by Okay... on 4/7/2026, 10:28 pm, in reply to "Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?"

Let's have a discussion. What would you suggest then?

Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?

Posted by Not "Doesn't matter" on 4/8/2026, 7:37 am, in reply to "Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?"

Address equity within the system. Programs in inner cities and SMALL rural areas are under (or un) represented at all levels of leadership in TMEA, TBA, and UIL. ATSSB is now dominated by schools that were moderately sized TMEA schools a generation ago - the voice for small and rural schools isn't being heard anymore.

Overhaul the PML process. There is no reason we should add 40 pieces to the Grade 4 and 5 lists annually and only a small handful to the Grade 1 and 2, which are performed by two to three times as many students annually as Grade 5.

Similarly, add additional quality pieces to the Grade 3 Solo and Ensemble list for our developing players. That list is incredibly underdeveloped. Many of those selections come from a book of similar solos, and yet only one or two solos in that book are on the list. Add the rest that are developmentally appropriate.

Let's start with that.

Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?

Posted by Yeah... on 4/9/2026, 7:49 am, in reply to "Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?"

...we tried Robin Hood already. It was shown to have little to no effect. ATSSB already has a band track exclusive to 4A. The Grades 1 & 2 lists on the PML have had rather large numbers of new titles placed there in at least the past 5 years annually.

Sounds like you are stuck in "broken record" mode, where you have the same complaints from 20 years ago. They've been addressed, but people still gripe.

Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?

Posted by Doesn't matter on 4/8/2026, 7:57 pm, in reply to "Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?"

This response sums it up.

We need to prioritize funding for rural and inner-city schools. We know where the money is allocated. It's also a broader education issue in the state of Texas. People are fed up.

TMEA/ATSSB/UIL need to work together to continue to refine the systems for the PML and judging. TMAA and UIL need to continue to refine their standards. Playing a game to get a trophy doesn't mean you are doing what is best for the kids.

Part of the problem this year, in my opinion, is the indicators on the judging rubric. I know that they are meant to help the judges out with solidifying their ratings. I also think the training needs to be more involved. They have gotten MUCH BETTER, but there should be something to keep the accountability of the judges other than earning a 1st division.

Just some opinions on the system. We all have them.

Keep fighting the good fight!

Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?

Posted by Check the pml on 4/8/2026, 11:44 am, in reply to "Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?"

Tons of new grade 1 and 2. 52 new grade 1 and 80 new grade 2. 56 grade 3. 51 grade 4. 59 grade 5.
Maybe in the past grade 1 and 2 have not gotten a lot of additions but give credit where credit is due. The committee has done well lately on adding new pieces to ALL grades.

Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?

Posted by Response on 4/9/2026, 7:46 am, in reply to "Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?"

PML, number of selections per grade level.

1 - 274
2 - 390
3 - 440
4 - 428
5 - 558

Explain how Grade 5 needs more than twice as many selections as Grade 1 does, given there are less than a fifth as many schools that perform off that Grade 5 list.

Also consider how many pieces on each list are "legacy" pieces that are rarely or never performed - or are "simplified" pieces that take a single movement or portion of a larger work and call it a lower grade level.

Case in point: English Dances by Arnold is on the Grade 2 list, if you play one movement. The piece doesn't stop being of Grade 4 technical difficulty simply by only performing one movement. I could see a set of circumstances by which someone might perform it, but it's a once in a lifetime reason.

One year of adding a few extra pieces doesn't make up for the generational issue that has existed for the twenty five years I've been in the classroom. The Grade 1 and Grade 2 lists have been neglected for decades, and both need a dedicated team to overhaul.

Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?

Posted by Hmm on 4/9/2026, 6:56 pm, in reply to "Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?"

I think it's two -fold.

Big schools need flexibility of selections due to ensemble strengths and deficiencies. More pieces are probably submitted for PML placement.

Grade 1 ensembles certainly need the same flexibility, but I bet less pieces are submitted for review. Also, I feel that grade 1 is the hardest piece to write. Very limited expression due to low technical proficiency. There are a few gems.

Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?

Posted by Sorry not sorry on 4/9/2026, 5:38 pm, in reply to "Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?"

There happens to be more quality literature in the grade 4 and 5 levels because of YEARS of composers writing for collegiate level groups or higher. Give it time. They are adding a lot in the lower grades every year. Also, a lot of the composers that started out writing for lower grade music are now writing harder music. I’m thankful that some, like Randy Standy, have gotten into more difficult music AND are continuing to write for lower grade levels as well. Not always the case.

Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?

Posted by Response on 4/10/2026, 5:35 am, in reply to "Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?"

To which I gesture broadly at the “Teaching Music through Performance in Band” series which has (conservatively) about 150 pieces in their recommended list for Grades 2 and 3 which are not on the PML.

Again, it’s not that quality music doesn’t exist.

Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?

Posted by Swamplander on 4/7/2026, 8:45 am, in reply to "What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?"

Sweepstakes A (XL trophy): HS Varsity, 1’s in all 3 events

Sweepstakes B (L trophy): HS Varsity, 1’s in C/SR

Sweepstakes C (M trophy): HS Non-varsity or lower AND MS Varsity, 1’s in C/SR

Sweepstakes D (S trophy): MS Non-varsity or lower, 1’s in C/SR

Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?

Posted by And... on 4/7/2026, 11:58 am, in reply to "Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?"

For the...maybe 2 JH/MS bands that still march, if they get ones in all 3 events they will get the B trophy (They will get the C trophy at marching contest for a 1).

Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?

Posted by Snerk on 4/6/2026, 8:39 am, in reply to "What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?"

People gatekeep sweepstakes by saying "it has to be all six judges" but who effing cares. The trophy is the same. Unless you're in HS, then there's a difference if you get all nine judges to agree.

Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?

Posted by Yeah... on 4/6/2026, 12:02 pm, in reply to "Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?"

I've heard some directors tell their band that since they got 1s from all 9 judges that they got a "Super Sweepstakes".

On the other side of the coin, I've also heard directors say they got a "dirty 1" if it was a 112.

Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?

Posted by this on 4/6/2026, 7:37 am, in reply to "What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?"

A sweepstakes is a composite score of 1 in marching, concert, and sightreading for HS bands and concert/sightreading for MS. It does NOT have to be straight 1's from all judges.

Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?

Posted by DesertJazz on 4/6/2026, 6:05 am, in reply to "What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?"

It does not take a 1 from all six judges. There are three judges in each setting, and it's the composite score from each panel that matters.

'according' below is completely correct on listing for the different events. I will add that no marching, but just concert and sight-reading is considered a 'Concert Sweepstakes' and they get a smaller 'B' trophy for that. This applies not only to schools that don't earn a 1 in the fall marching, but also the rare schools that don't have a high school marching band.

Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?

Posted by Bing on 4/5/2026, 5:42 pm, in reply to "What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?"

Yes

Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?

Posted by according on 4/5/2026, 10:28 pm, in reply to "Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?"

For MS/JH
- Overall 1 on stage and Overall 1 on SR

For HS
- Overall 1 on stage, SR, AND marching

NOT A SWEEPSTAKES
- HS Band that gets straight 1s in C/SR but not in marching

- HS Band that gets a 1 in Marching but not at C/SR

Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?

Posted by No on 4/6/2026, 12:00 pm, in reply to "Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?"

Not exactly correct.

Basically, if you walk out of C/SR with a *trophy*, you earned a sweepstakes.

For Everyone:

Division 1 ratings at C/SR = 2 Event Sweepstakes

Add in a Div. 1 in marching (there are still a scant few JH/MS that march) = 3 Event Sweepstakes

Look at past results on Musicforms.com. Many of the sheets are marked "SWA" = 3 event HS Varsity, "SWB" = 2 event HS varsity OR MS/JH varsity 3 event. "SWC" = MS/JH 2 event OR HS-NV 2 event, etc.

Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?

Posted by TYB Host on 4/7/2026, 11:04 pm, in reply to "Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?"
Board Administrator

Yeah, I don't think this is right.

As others have explained, MS that don't march who get a 1 in Concert and 1 in SR, that's a sweepstakes. MS that march and HS would have a 1 in all three to get a sweepstakes.

Tim

Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?

Posted by And... on 4/8/2026, 7:53 am, in reply to "Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?"

...that's exactly what he said. Might not have been crystal clear, but he said that.

Allow me to clear it up:

Trophy A (sometimes, as he said, marked on the results page as SWA): 3-Event Sweepstakes(M/C/SR) for HS Varsity

Trophy B (SWB): 2-Event Sweepstakes (C/SR) for HS Varsity, 3-Event Sweepstakes for JH/MS Varsity

Trophy C (SWC): 2-Event Sweepstakes for JH/MS Varsity, and HS-NV

Trophy D (SWD): 2-Event Sweepstakes for all other entries not mentioned above.

In addition:

HS-varsity Div. 1 in marching receives the B trophy at Region Marching Contest

JH/MS, and HS-NV (yes, there is one school that enters two bands at marching contest) Div. 1 in marching receives the C trophy

This allows for the band to get the next bigger trophy upon earning a 3-Event Sweepstakes.

Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?

Posted by Sorry on 4/7/2026, 1:33 pm, in reply to "Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?"

This is not correct.

Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?

Posted by Then... on 4/7/2026, 10:32 pm, in reply to "Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?"

...correct it. If it is incorrect, you should be able to correct the error with little effort.

Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?

Posted by Uhhh... on 4/7/2026, 10:30 pm, in reply to "Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?"

...yes it is. You may not agree with it, but he is not wrong.

Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?

Posted by i on 4/6/2026, 2:32 pm, in reply to "Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?"

I've never seen this.

Maybe different regions have different nomenclature, but I've only ever seen the term 'sweepstakes' to describe a composite 1 in marching, concert, and sightreading, or just the latter two for bands that don't march.

Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?

Posted by WW Guy on 4/6/2026, 9:11 am, in reply to "Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?"

All of this correct except if you get Overall 1s in Concert & Sightreading but not a 1 in Marching it is considered a "Sweepstakes B"

Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?

Posted by BD on 4/5/2026, 11:28 pm, in reply to "Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?"

In HS band, on the field you can get a 115. On stage get a 115 and in SR get a 115. That's a sweepstakes.

Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?

Posted by Respectfully on 4/6/2026, 9:20 am, in reply to "Re: What exactly qualifies as Sweepstakes?"

Any band that earns that many 115 ratings has a right to call for investigation of the judges ..

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