On March 27 and 28, 2018 Utley Middle School Symphonic and Honors Bands traveled to Wylie East High School to participate in University Interscholastic League (UIL) Concert and Sight Reading Contest. UIL is an official state adjudication for band which gives students the opportunity to demonstrate their mastery of skills. Ensembles perform in two different events for a panel of judges to receive a rating based on their performance for each event.
Utley Symphonic Band received an overall division 2, or “Excellent” rating on their stage and sight-reading performances. For most students in this band, this trip was their first time participating in the contest.
Utley Honors Band received division 1, or “Superior” ratings from all 6 of their judges, earning them the Sweepstakes Award. The Sweepstakes Award is the highest honor a middle school band can receive at UIL.
Additionally, Utley Middle School Honors band is the only middle school band in Rockwall ISD to receive division 1 ratings from every single judge at the 2018 UIL Concert and Sight Reading Contest.
During Utley’s history, this is only Honor Band’s fourth Sweepstakes at UIL, the last was in 2015. This year’s Sweepstakes is under the direction of Ms. Loren Taylor.
