What is this event?
WMTA District Auditions is MAME’s flagship event for students, and participating in it is one of the primary benefits of your MAME membership. These auditions are sponsored by the Wisconsin Music Teachers Association, supported by MAME and held in March of each year. They are designed to encourage music students at all ages (K-adult) and levels. Many participants are piano students, but string, voice, and even organ students also participate.
What are the event requirements?
Students may choose a competitive or non-competitive experience, depending on which audition track they sign up for. Students prepare pieces of contrasting styles/composers and perform for a judge to receive comments. There are several categories, depending on which of the following options selected:
- Memorized or non-memorized
- Two or three pieces
Competitive or non-competitive - Level-appropriate theory exam administered by each teacher before the event (required for all categories)
Most students sign up for the solo events, either memorized or non-memorized tracks, at any age and level. WMTA also allows ensembles of up to ten instruments/voice/piano, the most popular being 4-hand piano duets. All participants take a level-appropriate theory exam that is administered by each teacher before auditions. If you have additional questions about the different categories, see this page on the WMTA website or reach out to your local chairpersons.
What is the trajectory for the competitive tracks?
The most ambitious students choose the State Keyboard/Regional track, which involves three memorized pieces and a minimum theory test level depending on their grade in school. Those who qualify progress to the WMTA Regional Competition (Madison students must participate in the South Region). The Regional first place winners in grades 7-12 move on to the WMTA State Piano Competition.
Can I participate on a different date?
Students who cannot attend Madison auditions can apply to a different WMTA district’s audition. (Contact the district chair in the city you hope to audition in to see if they can accommodate your students. That list is available on the WMTA website.) A parent or guardian must sit in (silently!) on each audition, in order to meet WMTA guidelines for protecting children.
Who runs the event?
Our dedicated committee provides critical assistance in ensuring the event runs smoothly:
Denise Taylor and John Scoville (co-chairs)
Jennifer Zuhlke (volunteer manager)
Sigrun Franzen (theory)
Amy Hansel (awards)
Reach out to any of them with additional questions. All participating teachers must volunteer on the day of the event.
More details about auditions can be found on the WMTA website. All new teachers are especially encouraged to consult the website, or email the WMTA District co-chairs John Scoville or Denise Taylor.
Important dates for WMTA District Auditions:
- February 19, 2027: Deadline to sign students up and pay the fee
- March 20, 2027: WMTA District Auditions at Mead Witter School of Music, UW-Madison
- May 9, 2027: WMTA Regional (South) competition at Wisconsin Conservatory of Music
- May 15, 2027: WMTA State Keyboard Competition at UW-Stevens Point
District Chairs: Denise Taylor and John Scoville