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January 1, 2026, marks the start of a pilot program for Unit 1 training. As part of this pilot, SAA is highly encouraging, but no longer requiring, the submission of an audition to enroll in Unit 1 training. While the audition is optional during this period, all participants are still expected to meet the high musical and professional standards that uphold the quality of SAA Teacher Development courses. These courses are designed for experienced musicians with a high level of proficiency on their instrument, and auditions will continue to be required for Unit 2 and beyond.
Anyone signing up for a Unit 1 course with a 2026 start date will answer a few questions on the event page when joining the roster. Their responses will help the instructor, the course host, and SAA staff better understand their background and support their learning experience. The questions are:
- Do you have a music degree?
- In your best estimation and using this rubric, are you able to play the Basic Audition repertoire?
- Describe your teaching & performing experience on the instrument.
Some teacher trainers or course hosts may opt out of the pilot. In those cases, the Unit 1 course description will clearly indicate that an audition is required for that particular offering.
During the pilot, the SAA will gather data through post-course surveys and discussions with participants, teacher trainers, and course hosts, followed by a review of the pilot in December 2026.
If you have any questions or would like support with auditions, please reach out to us at [email protected].
