Manhattan Area Music Teachers Association 

KMTA HONORS AUDITIONS

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Each year in the fall, the Kansas Music Teachers Association holds competitive performance auditions for students ages first grade through college.

 

Requirements are listed on the Kansas Music Teachers Association website: ksmta.net

 

There is a fee to participate.  The fee for B, C, & D is posted at the KMTA website. The fee for Plan A is set by the Music Teachers National Association and can be found at their website.

 

Here is an overview of the different levels of participation:

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Plan A

Students prepare 3-4 memorized pieces by different composers from different style periods.  Plan A is only available for students ages 11 and up. This is the “national track” plan; competition begins at the state level and proceeds up through regional, division, and national levels of competition.  Only the winner of each level moves on.

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Plan B

Students prepare 3 memorized pieces by different composers from different style periods.  

 

Students in grades 1-6 may prepare pieces by “method” composers (such as Dennis Alexander, Randall and Nancy Faber, etc.), but all pieces should be original piano compositions and not simplified arrangements of other works.

 

Students in grades 7-12 should prepare only pieces by classical composers. Competition begins at the district level. Each student receiving a “1” rating at district auditions qualifies for state competition. At the state level, Plan B is a head-to-head competition with a winner, a runner-up, and honorable mentions awarded.  Those students who perform well at state receive a “1” rating with a medal, and the best performances are awarded as winners, receiving medals or trophies. Students in Plan B do not advance beyond the state level.

 

Plan C

Plan C is identical to Plan B, except that students are only required to perform two memorized pieces.

 

Plan D

Students in Plan D perform two pieces “for comments only.”  They participate only at the district level and are not required to memorize their music.  This plan is ideal for those students who are not ready for competition but would like the opportunity to perform and receive a written judge’s critique.

 

Duet Competition  

Students may compete by playing duets with a partner.  Each pair plays two pieces in contrasting styles. If the students are in different grades, they must compete at the level of the older student.  The pieces do not need to be memorized. Competition begins at the district level. Each duet pair receiving a “1” rating at district auditions qualifies for state competition.  Just as with Plan B, at the state level, a winner, a second place, and honorable mentions will be awarded to the top duet performers. Those students who perform well at state receive a “1” rating with a medal, and the best performances are awarded as winners, receiving medals or trophies.

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Complete auditions rules and guidelines are available at the Kansas Music Teachers Association website.

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(Text by Nancy Blockcolsky)