BANGOR – The Bangor Symphony Youth Orchestra and Symphonic Band invites middle school and high school students with intermediate to advanced musical skills to audition for the 2007-2008 season. Auditions will be held noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9, at the Bangor Symphony Orchestra office at 51A Main St.

Interested musicians may request an application by calling the BSO office at 942-5555 or 800-639-3221, or by e-mailing bsyoboard@adelphia.net. Applications may be mailed to the BSO office, P.O. Box 1441, Bangor, ME 04402-1441.

Conductors will schedule auditions upon receipt of the applications. Returning BSYO musicians will audition for seating only.

The BSYO is a nonprofit organization founded in 1968 to provide a quality orchestral and band experience for young musicians in the central and coastal Maine area.

Weekly rehearsals are held Sunday afternoons in the Class of 1944 Hall at the University of Maine in Orono. The fall session concludes with a concert in late November. The spring session begins in January and ends with a concert in early April.

In addition, BSYO musicians will participate in the Spirit of Bangor, a holiday extravaganza Dec. 1 and 2 at the Bangor Auditorium. Coordinated by the BSO, the event will include the Robinson Ballet, University of Maine musical groups and other artists from the area totaling more than 600.

The BSYO orchestra conductor is Rebecca Edmondson. Originally from Pennsylvania, Edmondson holds a master’s degree in music education from the University of Maine and has been a music teacher at the Conners-Emerson School in Bar Harbor since 1990. She also is musical director for the Mount Desert Island High School musical productions.

Gina Provenzano is the conductor of the symphonic band. She recently completed a master’s degree in instrumental conducting at UM and has performed with the BSO as principal clarinetist. She is an adjudicator and guest conductor for various middle school and high school music festivals.