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Musical Excellence: The Hallmark of Texas Bands

concert ensemble skills, solos, and small ensembles, which and curriculum on marching band than concert band.
all allow for the maximum development of the individual Please understand I believe wholeheartedly that marching
musician. It is this “season” of our curriculum that, when band holds an important place in a well-balanced high
done correctly, should define the high level of achievement school band curriculum. However, I also strongly believe
in our programs. In other words, most believe that “concert that we should never lose sight of what got us to where we
season” is our foundation for musical excellence. are today, lest we run the risk of losing the hallmark of our
I recognize there is a very delicate balance between Texas bands.
marching band and concert band. My fear is that if we ever In conclusion, during this time of “concert season” I
do anything to damage this delicate balance the intended encourage my colleagues throughout the state to keep
and unintended consequences could be detrimental and your efforts focused solely on the development of the
irreversible to the excellence we have spent over a century young musicians in your program through the vast body
cultivating. There have—and always will be—temptations of concert literature available for large ensembles, small
to have our wind players spend more of the school year ensembles, and soloists.

Dr. Bradley Kent serves as State Director of Music
for the University Interscholastic League, where he
oversees a system that provides educational competition
for some 750,000 student participants in Texas. Prior
to his UIL appointment, he held the position of Director
of Fine Arts for the Richardson ISD, where he was the
administrator for all Band, Choir, Orchestra, Visual Art,
and Theatre programs. Dr. Kent began his career as a
band director in the Lewisville ISD and went on to serve
on the faculties of Texas A&M University at Commerce
and Lamar University. Ensembles under his direction
have performed at the Midwest Clinic, the Texas Music
Educators Association Clinic/Convention, the College
Band Directors National Association Conferences, and
the Texas Bandmasters Association Convention. He has
presented guest lectures and clinics across Texas and at
events such as the International Wind Music History
Conference, the Midwest Clinic, the Texas Bandmasters
Association Convention, the College Band Directors
National Association Conference, and the Texas Music
Educators Association Clinic/Convention. Dr. Kent also
maintains an active conducting schedule, including
serving as Conductor and Music Director of the
newly formed Texas Youth Wind Symphony, a group
comprised of high school musicians from throughout the
greater Austin, TX area. Dr. Kent holds the Doctor of
Musical Arts degree and the Master of Music degree
from The University of Texas at Austin, as well as the
Bachelor of Music Education degree from Louisiana
State University. He enjoys serving as both a clinician
and evaluator for ensembles of all levels and is active as
an advocate for the arts and arts education.

Bandmasters Review • December 2018 12 Texas Bandmasters Association