Sixteen out of nearly 60 participants received the highest rating in an audition held in November by the Temecula Valley Music Teachers Association, a local chapter of the California Association of Professional Music Teachers, which is affiliated with Music Teachers National Association.

Each fall an audition is held within the local districts and chapters throughout the state of California, and students are evaluated on their performance of two memorized solo pieces in addition to one accompanied piece ranging in difficulty from elementary to advanced.

Those receiving a "superior" rating are invited to perform at either the northern or southern festival in recognition of their musical achievements. This year the southern festival is being co-sponsored by UC Riverside and will be held on Jan. 15.