The room is alive with tension and harmony as Senior choir student Adam Smart shifts his focus to the conductor’s baton. He takes a steadying breath before his voice weaves into the intricate tapestry of sound from his peers. This year’s UIL Choir competition looms closer, and the stakes feel higher than ever. For Smart, who will juggle both soprano and tenor parts, every practice is a chance to perfect not just his technical precision, but also the emotional depth he brings to the music.

“It’s not just about hitting the notes,” Smart said. “The tone you sing with reflects the story of the piece. That’s what makes all the hard work so worth it.”

At its core, the University Interscholastic League (UIL) represents the pursuit of excellence in Texas high schools, with competitions spanning academics, arts, and athletics. UIL is more than a competition for students and their coaches—it’s a transformative journey requiring unwavering dedication.

Junior Megan Ngo, a dedicated orchestra student, shares this sentiment. She’s preparing to perform Dreaming by Brian Balmages, a piece she loves for its emotional resonance.

“Slower pieces like Dreaming allow us to evoke emotions through dynamics and musical techniques,” Ngo said. “It’s challenging but incredibly rewarding.”

Alongside them is English teacher and coach Safraz Ali, a UIL Spelling and Grammar coach, whose quiet pride in his students’ progress is evident.

“Memorizing 3,000 words isn’t easy,” Ali said. “Students tackle it two words at a time, and the effort put in every year amazes me.”

For Smart, the hardest part of choir preparation isn’t the long hours but mastering the technical challenges of singing across vocal ranges. Last year, he balanced alto and tenor parts, but this year’s soprano-tenor switch has brought a new layer of complexity.

“Soprano is a very nit-picky voice line,” Smart said. “It’s a challenge, but it’s fun. Seeing even small progress in my technique is fun.”

Ngo, too, has faced challenges, particularly balancing the precision required for UIL with the demands of her schoolwork. She credits careful planning and an emphasis on teamwork for her success.

“Preparing for UIL is different because we focus on every little detail,” Ngo said. “Practicing better dynamics and improving bowing techniques is crucial. But it’s also about everyone working together to stay on tempo and follow the conductor.”

Similarly, the journey with spelling and grammar has taught students the power of consistent effort. Ali has designed an incremental system that encourages steady progress and builds confidence over time.

“It’s about more than vocabulary,” Ali said. “It’s about learning to handle pressure and striving for personal bests.”

Both students and their mentors emphasize the communal aspect of UIL preparation. In choir, Smart thrives on the group’s collective drive to excel, finding motivation in their shared goal.

“Participating in UIL is like a collective strive for excellence,” Smart said. “Everyone is working tirelessly to be the best version of themselves.”

Ngo feels the same way about her orchestra group. She loves the sense of unity that comes from working toward a shared vision.

“Preparing for UIL isn’t just about individual effort,” Ngo said. “It’s a group effort. Everyone has to be on the same page for our performance to shine.”

Ali shares this sentiment with his spelling team, emphasizing that no student can succeed alone.

“It’s not just about individual effort,” Ali said. “Every student supports each other, creating a real sense of camaraderie.”

When the competition day arrives, the adrenaline and energy are palpable. For Smart, performing in front of judges and an audience is an electrifying experience.

“It’s about expressing a story,” Smart said. “That’s my favorite part.”

Ngo describes a similar rush of excitement and focus, noting the professional environment of UIL raises the stakes.

“There’s so much adrenaline when you’re on stage,” Ngo said. “It’s different from other performances because we’re more meticulous. We want the judges to see how passionate we are about our music.”

Ali is equally excited to see his students take the stage. He believes this year’s team is poised for their strongest showing yet, driven by the goal of surpassing 28 correct words.

Smart and Ngo hope their stories inspire others to join the UIL experience. Smart’s advice to future participants is simple yet profound: “Be open to listening to your peers. So much growth comes from being open to criticism.”

For Ngo, confidence is key. “Distribute your practice time and believe in yourself,” Ngo said. “It’s all about consistency and passion.”

For Ali, the takeaway is the satisfaction of watching students grow.

“The effort is immense, but the results are even greater,” Ali said. “

That’s what makes UIL special.”