If you live in the state of Texas, and you’re involved in music and education in the schools, then the two acronyms UIL and PML likely spill freely and often from your lips. Even if you’re not from Texas, but are involved in music education somewhere in this great country of ours, then chances are you know what they mean, right? Just in case you don’t, though, here’s the information in a nutshell obtained from the UIL home page: “The University Interscholastic League (UIL) exists to provide educational extracurricular academic, athletic, and music contests for schools in Texas.”

As it pertains to music, of course, this includes marching band, concert band, full and string orchestra, both instrumental and vocal solo and ensemble, and choir. Solo and Ensemble music events in band, choir and orchestra are scheduled in 28 TX UIL Music Regions, and portions of the sheet music to be performed must come from the Prescribed Music List (PML).

In addition to selections not contained in the PML, groups and individual performers must also perform selections from the prescribed music list during the competition. Selecting just the right PML sheet music for the performers’ ability is among the most difficult aspects of the UIL competition process.

Earning the Division One Rating from the UIL judges at the regional competitions enables students to move on to the annual UIL State Ensemble and Solo competitions which are held each Memorial Day weekend in the State capital. Austin, and more specifically the University of Texas, is the birthplace of the UIL. Since being created in 1910, the Texas UIL has become the world’s largest inter-school program of its kind and has been emulated in virtually every state in the union.

But is it really all for just the competition? Most certainly not. Yet in virtually any music circle, you’ll find there is usually a constant debate about competition, its merits, and how it relates to music and the arts. There is a school of thought that since music and the arts are creative pursuits, why must competition or the participation in music contests be an integral part of it, particularly in the school classroom? It almost seems contradictory doesn’t it? Music | Creativity |Expression. What is competitive in that? How can you measure creativity? Expression?

Others argue the viewpoint stated on the UIL Web site: that the completion is “designed to support and enrich the teaching of music as an integral part of the public school curriculum.” In their eyes, the heart and soul of any school’s music organization is its concert ensemble – whether it’s the elite wind ensemble or choral group. It’s no coincidence that the best a cappella choirs are a reflection of the school’s best choir and the best marching bands are an extension of the school’s best concert bands. The brass quartets, wind trios and percussion ensembles that compete in UIL competitions are generally comprised of the best players from their respective music programs.

So play on and compete. Seek and find the best band sheet music, choir sheet music, and solo and ensemble music which speak not only to you, but to your students as well. The time to do it is now.

Are you seraching for for Texas UIL prescribed music? Click here to find the entire Texas UIL PML. Count on Pender’s Music Company for all your sheet music needs.

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