I used to tell the kids that the point of the etude was to make better players and it behooves us all to become better players. So, yeah, I required them to learn at least parts of it. If they didn't want to play for the judge, then I had them play it off for me, however, it was always their choice. I started charging the entry fee id they didn't show up and didn't have an excused absence or prior call so I knew that they were OK.
You have to find what works for your program and what you are willing to do.
Having said all that:
I think it is 1000% wrong to force the kids to audition at TMEA. It is painful for all the kids in the room including the performer and it is painful for the judges. You hear kids play a measure and quit, you hear kids laboriously stumble through the entire thing at about 1/4 speed... there's no point.
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