WANTED: STUDENT MUSICIANS TO PERFORM WITH SYMPHONY

AMES, Iowa - The Central Iowa Symphony is now accepting applications from student musicians for its third annual Young Artist Auditions in January. The audition provides young musicians with an educational opportunity as well as a chance to be selected to perform a concerto movement or other solo work with a symphony orchestra in concert May 2003.

Central Iowa Symphony, now in its 16th season, has a long tradition of showcasing young soloists. Three years ago, the program was expanded to include performers of wind, brass and percussion instruments, pianists and vocalists. The Young Artists Concert, Sunday, May 18, 2003, at Ames City Auditorium, will feature as many as six student soloists.

Students will audition with the piece they intend to perform with the symphony. In general, the work should be no more than 15 minutes in length (though longer works may be considered) and be performed from memory. Orchestral parts for the selected work must be available for purchase or rental. A panel of up to five professional musicians will evaluate the auditions, and written comments will be provided to each student.

Auditions will be Saturday, January 11, 2003, at Ames City Auditorium. Applications must be postmarked no later than December 1. For more information or to request an application, contact Sue Proescholdt at sproesch@iastate.edu, (515) 294-5364.

The Central Iowa Symphony, a 70-member community-based orchestra, presents a five-concert subscription season from October through May. Drawing its membership from throughout the region, the symphony is comprised of professional musicians, music educators, exceptional student performers, and accomplished amateurs.

The symphony, led by Mark Laycock, Director of Orchestral Activities at Iowa State University, will kick off the new season with a free performance on the ISU central campus at 2 p.m., Sunday, October 6. The symphony will perform the world premiere of a work for carillon and orchestra written by ISU professor Jeffrey Prater. The first regular-season concert will be 3 p.m., Sunday, October 13 at Ames City Auditorium.

For more information, or to order season tickets, go to the CIS web site. Tickets also may be purchased at the door, or in advance from the Ames Community Center (telephone orders taken at 515-239-5360).