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UTA Band Alumni Association, Inc.

UTA Bands SPRING SYMPOSIUMS

PLEASE NOTE: The 2006 UTA Concert Band Symposium will NOT take place.  Due to circumstances beyond the control of the Association, we are unable to host this event in the manner in which we desire, and in which the participants would deserve.  We regret and apologize for this situation.  Please check back with us later in 2006 and/or in early 2007 for information about the 2007 UTA Concert Band Symposium.

THE CONCERT BAND SYMPOSIUM

Beginning in Spring 2005, the UTA Band Alumni Association, Inc., introduced our new approach to concert band festivals - the UTA Concert Band Symposium.

Those familiar with the UTA Concert & Sightreading Contest will recall its similarity to UIL Concert & Sightreading Competition.  Bands would perform on-stage for a panel of 3 judges and receive a rating from each judge.  Bands receiving a minimum of two Division I ratings would receive an overall Division I and a trophy.  After the stage performance, each band would perform in sightreading for one judge.  Bands receiving a Division I in sightreading would also receive a trophy for that performance.  Bands receiving Division I ratings for both Concert and Sightreading performances would receive Sweepstakes trophies.

Though familiar, this format fell short in terms of educational experience for the performers and exposure for the University.  What's more, enrollment in the contest had fallen in recent years as more school districts had begun holding "mini-contests," bringing in 3 judges to evaluate all bands in the district, at a significant cost saving for the bands.

The UTA Concert Band Symposium is tailored for upper-echelon ensembles, primarily at the high school level.  Each performing ensemble will present its stage performance for 3 judges.  Two of those judges will adjudicate according to traditional UIL-style parameters, with tapes and sheets.  The third judge will record comments, but will then instruct the ensemble in a 30-minute clinic, focusing on important areas of his/her evaluation of the stage performance.  The idea will be to provide each ensemble with immediate feedback and assistance regarding their performance, thereby improving the educational experience for all performers.  At the same time, scheduling and logistics for the Association are streamlined, which should allow the organization to run a smoother event.  Ratings will be given at the request of the director, though the focus of the performance is on evaluation, clinic, and educational experience, not on a rating and a trophy.

Ensembles perform by invitation.  If you're interested in more information about future UTA Concert Band Symposiums, please contact Brad Bonebrake.

THE CONDUCTING SYMPOSIUM

The UTA Conducting Symposium began in the early 1990s as a means by which directors in the area could receive quality, advanced conducting instruction from a renowned conductor of wind bands.  A panel of conductors is invited to lead the UTA Wind Ensemble, each conducting a selection of his/her choice.  The guest conductor then critiques each conductor and assists him/her in improving technique, musicality, etc.  Each member of the conducting panel receives a video of the complete session.  Observers are also invited to sit in on each session to gain as much knowledge as they can or desire.

The symposium was originally the idea of Ray C. Lichtenwalter, Director Emeritus of Bands at UTA.  He envisioned a truly educational experience for conductors or all ensembles at all levels, where they could explore the art of conducting and escape the "stand tapping" that has claimed the proverbial lives of so many batons over the years.  The UTA Band Alumni Association is honored each year to sponsor the event.

This year's Conducting Symposium will be held on Saturday, January 28, from 9am - 5pm in the UTA Band Hall

This year's guest conductor will be Dr. Gary Hill of Arizona State University.

This year's conducting panel will be announced shortly.

Our thanks go out to Douglas Stotter and Todd Zimbelman for their assistance in hosting this year's event.  Thanks also to Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma.