District Auditions

When & Where

February to April each year.
Click this link for the Dates and Locations Spreadsheet.

Chairpersons

Click this link for
the Chairperson Contacts
Spreadsheet.

Registration Fees

Fees depend on audition type.
Click here for Registration Fee
Rates and Requirements.

Overview and Timeline

WMTA Competition Tracks & Eligibility
District 2 (D2)Grades 1- 12 & Adult 
District 3 (D3)Grades 1- 12 & Adult
District 2 Non-Memorized (D2-NM)StateGrades 1- 12 & Adult
RegionalGrades 1 – 3 (Can participate but cannot advance to the Regional Round of Competition)
Grades 4 – 6 (Keyboard)
StateGrades 7 – 12 (Keyboard)Grades 4 – 12 & Adult (VIE & Adult Keyboard)
WMTA Keyboard Competition Structure 
Depending on their eligibility, these are the events in which the student will participate
KeyboardRound 1 – District Competition (All Grades & Adults)
Round 2 – Regional Competition (Grades 4 – 12)
Round 3 – State Competition (Grades 7-12)
Vocal | Instrumental | Ensemble | Adult KeyboardRound 1 – District Competition (All Grades & Adults)
Round 2 – State Competition (Grades 4 – 12 & Adults)
WMTA Keyboard Competition Step-by-Step
District – Round One1. Choose your student’s track and corresponding theory level.
2. Register your student with your local District Chairperson.
3. Follow instructions about where and when your student will take their theory test.
4. Students participate in the District Round of the WMTA Competition.
5. If the student registered in the Regional or State Track and earned qualifying scores, they will advance to the Regional Keyboard Competition or State VIE Competition.

At the District Round of the WMTA Competition, students are performing to earn points.  Each piece they perform will earn 1-5 points.  The required theory test will earn 1-5 points.
Regional Keyboard Event – Round Two1. Register for the Regional Competition with the Regional Chairperson.
2. Students perform the same repertoire as performed at the District Round.
3. Compete at the Regional Competition in your Region. (as determined by your district)
4. Students will compete against students (either in their grade or similar ages), and the judge will declare place designations (such as winner, runner-up, and honorable mention).
5. Grade-level Winner will perform at a recital at the end of the competition day.
6. If the Winner is not available, the Runner-Up (if designated) may perform.
7. The winner will earn 15 points. Runner-Up will earn 14 points. Honorable Mention will earn 13 points. Participating students (non-award winners) will earn 10 points.
 
The winner at the Regional Round of the WMTA Competition for grades 7-12 has the opportunity to advance to the State Keyboard Competition.

In the case of an emergency, if the Regional Winner is not able to perform at the State WMTA Competition, the Regional Runner-Up is given the opportunity to perform at the State WMTA Competition.

NOTE: Barring an emergency, registration in the State Keyboard Track signals a student’s commitment and intent to participate and, if qualified, advance to the State WMTA Competition. 
State Keyboard Event – Round Three 1. Regional Winners register for the State Competition with the State Chairperson.
2. Students perform a winning program in the Regional Competition.
3. Open competition held in the Recital Hall; fee charged; full-day recital.
4. Three judges evaluate students who compete against students in their own grade level. 
5. Judges reach a consensus to determine each grade level winner for the state. 
6. Grade-level winners are announced at the Awards Ceremony at the end of the day.
7. The Judges’ Choice Award may be presented to any participating student (Winners not included) at the full discretion of the judging panel.
8. Judges are not bound to give this award each year.
9. The winner will earn 15 points.
10. Judges’ Choice Winner will earn 13 points.
11. Participating students (non-award winners) will earn 10 points.

Rules and Information

Parent/guardian must be present for all auditions.

WMTA Membership

For the purposes of entering auditions, renewing members need to have paid their dues by October 15, and non-members need to have paid their $200 non-member fee in advance of their district’s audition deadline. 

New WMTA members who join after October 15th are allowed to enter students for auditions.
New Members are those individuals who have not been a previous MTNA/WMTA member, and they need to have paid their dues by registering here.
Contact their District Chair in advance of their district’s audition deadline.

ORIGINAL MUSIC

WMTA encourages teachers and students to use good editions of printed music. Photocopies are not allowed; however, legally downloaded music is. If students will be using legally downloaded music, the Copyright Representation and Indemnification Agreement form MUST be printed, signed/dated, and presented to the judge with all downloaded music at the time of the audition. Failure to have this form present with your downloaded music at the audition will result in disqualification for points. By signing this form, you agree that you are abiding by all U.S. Copyright Laws, and that your music has been downloaded legally. 

GENERAL RULES

  • For students in Grade 7 and above, one point will be deducted from total performance points if every measure is not numbered.
  • Compositions must be at least 16 measures long, excluding repeats
    • Two or more pieces that are less than 16 measures, but by the same composer, may be grouped as a suite to meet this requirement.
  • All students must take a Music Theory Test.
  • Teachers may not change repertoire choices, track, or theory level after the application deadline has passed.
  • Use of recording devices during all WMTA events is prohibited.
  • Neither students nor parents may discuss or challenge the score (points awarded) with the judge.

VOLUNTEERISM

Teachers with participating students are required to work. If a teacher does not work or provide a sub, a $75 fine will be imposed, and their student will not be allowed to play in the following year

Documents and Forms