Band at CLHS, Central Texas' Newest High School, Must Forfeit from UIL Marching Competition
According to the history page, University Interscholastic League, (UIL) was founded as an outreach program by the University of Texas in 1904, the UIL, established formally in 1913 merging the Debate League with the Athletic Association. It is a big deal in Texas. High school students from across the state compete in several academic, athletic, or musical events. The competition is healthy and provides Texas student's achievements beyond passing grades with extra curricular activities, common bond, and the desire to excel.
Opened in August 2007, CLHS is the newest high school erected in Comal Independent School District. Currently the high school only supports grades 9 and 10. There are three other high schools in the district, two mainstreams and one alternative.
When CLHS was priming to open, meetings about what to expect, student tours, and general promotion filled students with expectations beyond what the school could fulfill. When the news of UIL marching not occurring broke to the band, many were heart broken--especially those of the sophomore class that competed at Smithson Valley High School, SV, the year before.
Missing UIL is not the first setback CLHS band has faced. When students arrived for summer band camp, a third of the band did not get notice so they did not show. There were not enough stands or chairs to seat all of the students at camp. And, the band hall was not funded for a piano or keyboard.
Since school has been in session, the band has mostly only performed at home games. One away game was initiated at the last minute in an effort to boost the band's morale. Students are beginning to not attend after school practices, relaying one excuse after another--a problem that does not exist at SV where if you miss practice you lose your (marching) spot.
So why can't the band go to UIL? I asked the same question. The reply (paraphrased): when they built the practice field they did not paint out the field markers. Apparently when the markers were finally painted they were done wrong! The students had no place to practice, mark their positions, or perfect a drill in the time left until UIL marching contest.
"Somebody in Central Office dropped the ball," said one sophomore. "There is only a handful of us (sophomores), they could have kept us at SV like they did with the junior and senior classes," said another. A band parent said, "where I work, if we do something wrong, we work until we rectify it--even if it means working overtime." I say true to all statements.
The district should have followed through on getting the practice field operational. If it was not possible, they should have provided an alternate plan--like transporting the students to SV to practice when they are not using their field or allowing for practice time on the CLHS football field.
This UIL marching competition was the big show for the band. Sure they will have ensemble and solo competitions, but the marching is what a lot of Texas high school bands refer to when they make comparisons.
Sources:
University Interscholastic League, History page, UIL web site.
Published by Eclectic Muse
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15 Comments
Post a CommentHello Manda! Yes, you did get to go this 2008-09 school year, but not in 2007-08. If you notice, this article is almost two years old. Finally things are coming around for the band. The band sounds fantastic and received all I ratings at UIL concert and sight reading this year. Awesome job!
Actually we did attend the Roughrider contest.
I want to clear up an issue here. In the 90's UIL began alternating competition years for divisions. This article was written last year. There were a lot of misleading issues that led up to publication. When the band was told there would be no marching UIL competition for them Fall 2007, they were told it was because they did not have a show, they did not have a suitable practice field, they did not have a trailer to transport instruments, and they did not have uniforms--all for the lack of money. This article is not just about UIL, it's about all the marching competitions the band did not get to participate in while their sister schools did. The announcement to the band and parents lumped all competitions under one blanket: UIL. The band did participate in other UIL competitions in Winter and Spring 2008.
Hello Manda! It's wonderful the improvements that have come for the band. It's too bad you guys didn't go to the Roughrider competition this year though. It's all about gaining experience. That's also one less patch you guys will have on your jackets...Now, if only the acoustic issue could be fixed and If you could get a better practice field. I'm sure by Fall 2010 the band will be all State. But that does not make up for the fact you didn't get any experiences in marching competitions last year. For the Seniors, who will graduate Spring 2010, that's tough luck. They missed out on a lot of fun competitions in Fall 2007. I have not given up hope for next year's UIL. There is the slightest chance the school's division could be bumped to 4 A. Hopefully the enrollment will increase and allow for it.
Well we were one place away from making State Marching contest, we've come a long way since last year. :]
Dear ac, I don't know where you see the article as being flawed? When the students arrived for camp at school opening they had to scramble up chairs for seating from other class rooms. Mr. Watley borrowed a keyboard from a member of the band. The practice field was not painted. When it was finally painted the field markers were off and had to be repainted. The field they practice on is a parking lot for the agricultural facility--still. If you are in the organization, compare SV to CL and note the differences. To this day, there are students in multiple extra curricular activities which prevents them from attending all band practices. This makes for empty spots and causes flawed performances. There is still apathy in the group across the board. As far as the UIL facts, they came from the UIL site I sourced.
This article is fairly flawed, I was in this band orginization last year and the situation was not at all like it was described here.
That's a real shame. Marching band is often neglected in schools. I was lucky, our school really supported the band. We had 400 students and 110 of them were in the marching band.
hope it works out in the end
Aw, what a disappointment for the kids. :(