The San Saba Bands went to UIL Concert & Sight-Reading on April 12th. The Concert portion of the contest involves playing three pieces of music which have been prepared over several months, and are performed on stage for three judges. The judges use a standardized rubric system, and all three judges’ scores make up a composite score. This section tests the bands ability to perform prepared music with accuracy and musicality. The Sight-Reading portion gives students 7 minutes to silently finger & count a piece they have never seen, and then they must perform the piece in its entirety with minimal errors. Sight-reading involves testing student’s knowledge of musical elements without rehearsal. The rating system for UIL Concert & Sight-Reading is as follows: 1 (superior) 2 (excellent) 3 (average) 4 (below average) 5 (poor). The 7th grade band (middle school band) performed on April 12th and received a composite rating of a division 1 (Superior Rating) on stage, and a division 1 (Superior Rating) in sight-reading. This is the second year in a row that the San Saba middle school band has received a division 1 in sight-reading. Since the band received a division 1 on stage, as well as in sight-reading, the band received the coveted sweepstakes award. This is the highest UIL award given to a band. To our knowledge, this marks the first time in history that any San Saba Middle School band has received a sweepstakes award. San Saba Middle School was the only Middle School at the contest Thursday (out of 10 in attendance) that received a sweepstakes. This is truly a landmark accomplishment for the San Saba band program!