UIL Sight Reading Procedure
(g) PROCEDURES FOR CHORAL SIGHT-READING COMPETITION.
(1)
Time. A director of a choral group will be given six minutes to study the score and
instruct the organization. EXCEPTION: Sub-non varsity choirs may extend the
study and instruction period by one minute.
(2)
Instructions. At any time during the instruction period the tonic chord may be played
once in broken chord style. It may not be reproduced by the students. The director
may instruct the group by tapping out rhythms and talking about any passage of
music but may not hum, sing any part, or allow it to be played on the piano. Students
may chant rhythms and/or text and tap or clap the rhythms. But they may not
reproduce the music tonally. Students may ask questions and make comments,
according to the director's wishes.
(3)
Marking Music. Neither the director nor the students may mark on the sightreading
music unless instructed to do so by a judge.
(4)
First Reading. At the completion of the instruction period, choral groups will be
given the tonic chord, in broken chord style. At that time, the students may
reproduce the tonic chord, utilizing their preferred method of sightreading (numbers,
syllables, etc.). The accompanist will then give the starting pitches, which each
section may sing, again utilizing their preferred method. The director may sing the
starting pitch with each section. After the choir has sung its starting pitches no
further warmup or musical instruction of any kind is permitted by the director,
including the use of verbal counting to initiate the reading. The selection will then be
sung without piano accompaniment and using the group's preferred method of
sightreading
. The director may choose to read the piece in the printed key or any
other key suitable for the group.
(5)
Second Instruction Period. Following the first reading, the director will have two
minutes for instruction. The procedures described in (2) will apply.
(6)
Second Reading. The procedures in (4) will apply. The selection will then be sung a
cappella. All groups may continue to use their preferred method of sightreading or
may sing the words printed in the score. The director's decision to use text or not
will have no bearing on the final rating. Both readings will be judged.
(7)
Disqualification. A choral group whose director makes an obvious contribution to
the performance by either singing with or speaking to the students or making other
audible contributions while they are performing will be disqualified. An obvious
attempt by a director to be disqualified may result in a rating. (A judge's decision of
what is obvious is final.)
(8)
SAB Music Selection. Choral groups performing a majority of SATB music in their
concert competition will be required to sightread SATB music designated for that
conference. However, choirs in all conferences, except 5A and 4A varsity
competition, may sightread SAB music provided that their program includes a
majority of SAB music.
(9)
SA and TB Music Selection. In all middle school conferences as well as junior high
school B and BB conferences, choral groups performing a majority of SA or TB
music in their concert competition may elect to sightread SA or TB music designated
for that conference.
