2025 AGE REQUIREMENTS

Instrumentalists:  All applicants must have reached age 16 or be a graduating high school senior, and not have reached age 26 on the date of the Final Audition, Saturday, May 24.

Vocalists: All applicants must have reached age 18 or be a graduating high school senior, and not have reached age 32 on the date of the Final Audition, Saturday, May 24.

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RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS

First Time Applicants: An applicant who is participating in the Preliminary Auditions must be a resident of San Diego County, Imperial County, or Baja California for a minimum of one year at the time of the Preliminary Auditions - OR - have been a full-time registered student (12 semester units) in a college or university in the above geographic area since the preceding September.  Proof of full-time registration must be provided with the application.

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Returning Applicants Who Did Not Pass Beyond Preliminaries:

Audition: A returning applicant who is again participating in the Preliminary Auditions must be a resident of San Diego County, Imperial County, or Baja California for a minimum of one year at the time of the Preliminary Auditions - OR - have been a full-time registered student (12 semester units) in a college or university in the above geographic area since the preceding September.  Proof of full-time registration must be provided with the application.

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Semi-Finalists From Previous Years:

Residency requirements do not apply to participants who have previously competed in the Semi-Final Auditions.

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2025 AUDITION RULES FOR APPLICANTS

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Accompanist 

You must provide your own accompanist, if needed.

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Repertoire 

Audition repertoire should be from the appropriate, standard established repertoire.  Please consult the Repertoire Requirements at musicalmerit.org.  For the preliminary rounds, the full repertoire must be recorded and uploaded to YouTube.  Each piece may be individually recorded.  Unlisted links must be submitted by April 15.  The preliminary judges will listen to 20 minutes of each applicant's recordings of the judges' choice.  

Applicants should be prepared to perform any of the required repertoire program at each round of the auditions.  Applicants will select their first piece and judges will select from the remaining repertoire. No changes to repertoire will be accepted after the preliminary round. 

 

Original Scores 

Applicants must bring original scores and/or legally authorized PDFs of all music to be performed for the use of the judges at each level of the competition. If you perform something that is no longer in print, you must provide acknowledgement from the publisher stating this fact.

 

Semi-Final Round - Friday, May 23

Performers selected from the preliminary round and their accompanists will audition for the semi-final judges in their category.  Selected performers will be notified by May 1.  Eligible returning semi-finalists are invited to the Semi-Final round and can apply by April 15 at https://musicalmerit.wildapricot.org/auditions.

 

Final Round - Saturday, May 24

Performers selected for the Final Round and their accompanists will audition for all Finals Judges. All Finalists return following the completion of auditions for the Reception for Finalists and Judges.

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Awards Concert and Scholarship Presentation - Sunday, May 25 @ 3pm

Finalists will perform a selection from their repertoire followed by the Awards Presentation and Reception.