Woodville’s mighty Eagle Band soars to new heights

Special to the Booster

On Tuesday, March 5, the Woodville Mighty Eagle High School Band earned a recognition that has not been seen in over a decade in the Woodville community: earning first division superior ratings at this year’s UIL Concert and Sightreading Evaluation! Performing at Silsbee High School for a panel of three judges, the Mighty Eagle Band met a goal they have been steadily working toward under the direction of Head Band Director Gabrielle Chandler for the last three years. Along with Assistant Band Director Dawson Wallace, the Band not only accomplished a First Division Superior rating in the Concert portion of the evaluation, but also earned a First Division Superior Rating in the Sightreading section.

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UIL Concert and Sightreading Evaluation is considered to be one of the top indicators of any Texas school band program’s success. Perfecting the performance of a selection of three approved pieces of music takes months to prepare. The dedication and perseverance of these High School students and their band directors has been a driving force behind their latest success. Judges unanimously awarded the Eagle Band with First Division Superior ratings for their stage performance. The Sightreading section of the UIL evaluation comprises of the students and Head Band Director receiving a newly written piece of music meeting pre-selected musical criteria expected of all 3A High School bands in Texas.

The Head Director is given seven minutes to teach the music to the students while being monitored by a compliance officer. At the end of seven minutes, with no further instructions from the Director allowed, the band must perform this new piece of music for a rating in front of separate UIL judges. These judges also awarded the Eagle band a 1st Division Superior rating!

It has been 13 years since our Eagle Band has received a First Division Superior rating on the UIL stage and 22 years since they have received the rating in both Concert and Sightreading. The Woodville Mighty Eagle Band has a rich tradition of achieving high ratings in the past and has many proud Alumni members in the community.