2025 Audition Structure and Timeline
2025 Audition Structure and Timeline
The 2024-2025 Cal-Western Regional Auditions will once again be held in hybrid format. The first round of auditions will be held on video. The semi-final and final round auditions will be held live at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona on January 18 and 19, 2025.
All students must participate in the video round, and must use the same repertoire at all stages of the auditions, including the national auditions should they advance. Repertoire requirements can be found here. In both the video round and semi-final round, each category will be judged by a panel of three judges. All teachers entering students are expected to participate as judges.
Participation in the CWR auditions is separate from the district auditions; any student of a CWR NATS teacher may participate. The student category is based on the student age as of September 1, 2024; all videos should be made on or after this date.
Timeline:
- October 7 Registration opens for the first round. Registration includes all student information and YouTube links.
- November 7 Registration closes. Suggested District deadlines are as follows:
- Nevada District Deadline: 11-2-24
- Utah District Deadline: 11-3-24
- Arizona District Deadline: 11-4-24
- Northern California District Deadline: 11-5-24
- Southern California District Deadline: 11-6-24
- Hawaii District Deadline: 11-7-24
- November 8-14* Vetting and remediation period.
- November 15* Judging assignments sent out. All teachers with participating students must judge or provide a substitute judge (and pay a fee) at the time of registration. No exceptions.
- December 6 Judging assignments due.
- December 10* The top 7 students in each category or subcategory will be announced. These students will participate in the live semi-finals in Arizona. Subcategories may be combined in the semi-finals in accordance with the national rules.
- December 11* Registration opens for the semi-finals. Teachers will need to confirm participation of semi-finalists, select pianists, and pay the appropriate fees. Teachers will also need to submit parental consent forms for minors in a separate process.
- December 20* Registration for semi-finals closes.
- January 18 Live semi-finals. All teachers with participating students must judge or provide a substitute judge. The top 5 students in each category/subcategory who also meet the national criteria** will advance to the national YouTube round.
- January 19 Finals. The top 3 students in each category/subcategory who also meet the national criteria** will perform a 3 minute selection (audition cuts are permitted in the finals only). Any NATS member present can vote to rank each category.
*These dates are dependent on the completion of vetting, remediation, and judging, and therefore are subject to change.
**In order to advance to the National YouTube round or to the Regional Finals, students must have an average score of 90 or above OR 2 scores of 90 or above.
Please send any questions to Emily Sinclair, Auditions Chair, at auditions@calwestnats.org