Each year the UIL hosts three music assessments for full ensembles – a marching band performance, a concert band performance, and a sight-reading performance. The marching band assessment is held in the fall during football season while the concert and sight-reading assessments are held on the same day in the spring.
The Frenship Band program had five concert bands participate in the UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Evaluations this spring. The Wind Symphony, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Winds, and Concert Band are composed of approximately 300 Frenship students.
During the concert assessment, each band prepares three pieces of music based on their skill level and presents a full concert to a panel of three judges. For the sight-reading assessment, each band has 7 to 10 minutes to rehearse a piece of music they have never seen before, and then perform it for a separate panel of judges.
For both concert and sight reading, the judges evaluate the tone, technique, and musicianship of each ensemble and assign a rating based on a UIL standard of excellence. The rating ranges from Division 1 Superior to Division 5 Poor.
In the end, the ensembles earned several Division 1 Superior ratings, including the Wind Ensemble (varsity). Back at the beginning of the school year, the marching band received a Division 1 Superior rating, and when the varsity ensemble received the Division 1 ratings in concert and in sightreading the whole band program was awarded the designation of Sweepstakes.
This is the 33rd consecutive year that the Frenship Band has received the UIL Sweepstakes award and the first year under the new leadership of Director of Bands, Scott Carter.
“It is evident that the hard work and diligent practice of our students and staff truly helped them to achieve at a high level,” said Carter. “It is such a pleasure to teach these outstanding students and watch them fulfill their musical potential. We appreciate the support of a great administration, parents, community, and the many years of band students whose legacy helped build our program. We are so proud of our students and the great young men and women they are growing up to be.”
Concert Band Results
Wind Ensemble – directed by Scott Carter
- Concert – Division 1
- Sight Reading – Division 1
Wind Symphony – directed by Michelle Lessing
- Concert – Division 1
- Sight Reading – Division 1
Symphonic Band – directed by AJ Pisani
- Concert – Division 1
- Sight Reading – Division 1
Concert Winds – directed by Cameron Wolfe
- Concert – Division 1
- Sight Reading Division 2
Concert Band – directed by Scott Carter
- Concert – Division 2
- Sight Reading – Division 3