The Bangor Symphony Orchestra will hold string auditions 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, at the Maine Center for the Arts in Orono. Positions available include principal viola player, contracted seats in the violin, viola and cello sections, and substitute positions in the bass section. Contracted musicians are paid on a per-service basis, with mileage and housing included. The season includes six classical concerts, “The Nutcracker,” three youth concerts, summer pops and other special events.

In other BSO news, the Maine High School Concerto Competition application deadline has been extended to Jan. 1. All applications must be postmarked by midnight to qualify. The competition is open to any ninth- through 12th-grade Maine student who plays one of the following instruments: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, horn, trombone, tuba, harp, violin, viola, cello, double bass, piano or percussion. The competition is at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at Minsky Hall at the University of Maine in Orono. Entrance requirements, eligibility and procedure information are available online at www.bangorsymphony.com. For more information, call 942-5555.