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Prepping for Lit Crit in 2011
By Mark Bernier, Literary Criticism State Contest Director | Monday, February 07, 2011 9:22 AM
The district and region meets are just down the road, and I trust that the invitational meets are serving as good preparation. The calendar appears crowded with opportunity even if the weather (and the economy) might be interfering a bit.
Living with the Reading List has its effects; some, I hope, are short-term. I recently dreamed about Lizzie coming upon Yank in a greenhouse, the image of which is permanently burned into my imagination's retina. The Omphalian oracle positioned among "last year's" Erewhonian statues doesn't haunt me, perhaps because New Zealand, even in my dream world, is so beautiful. So it is that I hope that you are enjoying Austen's invitation into Society and O'Neill's thrusting you into the caged world of the working class, as well as Roethke's beckoning you along the recursive path that is the breadth of his lifetime of experience.
Clarifying Questions About New Prose & Poetry Categories
By Jana Riggins, Speech and Debate Director | Tuesday, February 01, 2011 4:01 PM
There is much excitement about the new prose and poetry categories for high school oral interpretation contests. As students and coaches seek to find literature to fit these parameters, questions arise. I have enjoyed being out on the circuit judging. I see firsthand the approaches students are taking with the categories, which aids me in evaluating the category descriptors to ensure they clearly convey the framers’ intent for performances.
I am writing this article to clarify many of the questions I have received regarding the new categories.
Let me begin by reminding coaches the Constitution & Contest Rules require all coaches to read the 2010-2011 edition of the UIL Prose and Poetry Handbook, which should be ordered from the State Office. There is an extended discussion of the categories in Chapter 4 designed to aid coaches in guiding their students to prepare appropriately. Review the manual far in advance of your district meet, in order to prevent problems or disqualification at League-standing contests.
Documentation Details for 2010-11
By Jana Riggins, Speech and Debate Director | Tuesday, February 01, 2011 3:46 PM
As you prepare for your upcoming spring competition, one of the most important things prose and poetry performers must do is to secure appropriate documentation for the performance categories.
Securing documentation is not a task that can be left until the last minute. Although the new categories were designed to make documentation easier, the authors and selections a student chooses may not be quick to document.
Documentation should be found before students put their heart and soul into analyzing and rehearsing a literary work for competition. If documentation is insufficient, students do not get to compete, so knowing the requirements and making certain you have met the contest rules is of utmost importance.
UIL Calculator Application State Director David Bourell to Receive TMS Fellows Award
By Chris Schmidt, Communications Officer | Monday, January 31, 2011 11:47 AM
On March 1, 2011, David Bourell will be awarded with The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (TMS) Fellows Award. The TMS Fellow Award is a very exclusive, international honor as their can only be 100 living fellows at any point in time.
Technology Will Allow for More Frequent Updates of PML for 2011-12 School Year
By Richard Floyd, Music Director | Thursday, January 27, 2011 1:45 PM
While there has been a great deal of information distributed regarding the new Prescribed Music List revision process, there remains a certain degree of misunderstanding and confusion regarding what is taking place. For at least the last five decades, a committee of five to seven members in band, choir and orchestra has reviewed the Prescribed Music every four years. The end result was a new publication that remained the official UIL list until a new committee convened four years later. With the expanded use of online technology, it became apparent in recent years that a more contemporary and Web-based strategy was in order.
As everyone knows, the PML now “lives” online supported by a search engine that allows directors, private teacher, students and music dealers to explore the list in a multitude of ways. The system also supports online contest entries. Furthermore, with the utilization of available technology, it is possible for the list to be maintained and modified in “real time” and on an ongoing basis. It is no longer necessary to wait four years to print a new edition. Thus, beginning in the 2011-12 school year, music will be added to the list annually prior to the beginning of the new school year.
3 Things that Will Help You be a Better Judge
By Mark McGahey, TMAA Concert Band Vice President | Wednesday, January 26, 2011 11:32 AM
As we approach the UIL Concert and Sight-reading Contest season, I thought this would be a good opportunity to review several important aspects we, as adjudicators, should bear in mind as we evaluate groups:
1. Knowledge – Know the literature and have a picture in your mind before listening. No, I mean really know the literature, and not just have an idea how a tune goes. As a music evaluator, you need to offer an educated opinion about what you are hearing. How often do you listen to non-varsity bands, middle school bands or any band outside of your classification? Do you have an idea in your mind of how a successful band at each level sounds?
Be sensitive to sub- and non-varsity ensembles. It is important to understand that these groups are working to achieve at their performance level. Also, keep in mind the fact that these groups will likely have students functioning as leaders for the first time.
Music Makes Associate’s Life
By Julianne Coyne, UIL Intern | Wednesday, January 26, 2011 11:25 AM
Music associate Patty Esfandari (back right) poses with her ensemble, Heralds and MInstrels. Patty has played with the ensemble for 20 years.
Photo by Photo courtesy of Heralds and Minstrels
Patty Esfandiari loves music.
And it’s a good thing.
Eight hours a day, five days a week, Patty is immersed in the music business as the administrative associate for the UIL music department.
But eight hours a day is not enough for Patty.
Verification Approved for Journalism Contests
By Jeanne Acton, Journalism Director | Wednesday, January 26, 2011 11:16 AM
Next year, journalism coaches are going to see an addition in the Constitution and Contest Rules for our four journalism contests.
For the 2011-12 school year, all journalism contests will have a verification period. The change will read as follows:
- (G) Unofficial Results. Unofficial results of individuals who appear to have placed first through sixth place should be announced.
- (H) Verification Period. Prior to the announcement of official results, contestants and/or coaches shall be permitted no more than 15 minutes to identify contestants’ papers. Judging decisions and rankings are subjective and shall not be subject to protest. Coaches or contestants not present for the viewing period forfeit their opportunity to identify entries.
- Announcing Official Results. The contest director should announce the name and school of first through sixth place individuals. Official results, once announced, are final.
Receptionist to Retire After Nearly 20 Years of Service
By Jeanne Acton, Journalism Director | Monday, January 24, 2011 11:02 AM
Diann Harper will retire from UIL at the end of January.
Photo by Jeanne Acton
After answering the phones and directing calls at the League for almost 20 years, receptionist Diann Harper is getting ready to take her final call.
She is retiring at the end of January.
But Diann promises that she is only saying “so long, not goodbye.”
UIL Names New Interim Athletic Director
By Stephanie Ramirez, Communications Officer | Wednesday, January 19, 2011 2:28 PM
Cliff Odenwald has resigned as UIL athletic director to pursue other opportunities and return to the Texas public school system. Before coming to the UIL, Cliff was the athletic director for Plano ISD. Under Cliff’s direction, the UIL athletic department accomplished many great things, including the 2010 reclassification and realignment. While we are sad to see Cliff go, we wish him the best and thank him for all his hard work while at the UIL.
Dr. Mark Cousins, UIL Director of Policy, has been named the Interim Athletic Director. Mark is an expert on the UIL Constitution & Contest Rules and has 16 years of experience with the UIL athletic department. Before becoming Director of Policy, Mark was one of our assistant athletic directors, making him a perfect choice to fill in until a new athletic director is hired later in the spring.
We wish Cliff all the best in his future endeavors, and congratulate Mark on his expanded role at the UIL.