The Bellevue Philharmonic has announced open applications for Eastside youth to perform as featured soloists with the Bellevue Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO). The “Second Annual Young Artists Debut Concert” will take place on Saturday, May 21, 2005, at the theater at Meydenbauer in downtown Bellevue under the direction of BPO Music Director Fusao Kajima.

Music students on all instruments are invited to apply for consideration. Those applying must be full-time students, in any grade up through high school; must reside or attend public or private school in East King County or Mercer Island; and must have a letter of recommendation from their music teacher. Previous winners may not apply again.

Music students must complete an application, which are available from the BPO office. Students must also submit a CD or audio cassette with themselves playing two, short contrasting compositions, but not concertos; accompaniment is optional. Videotapes are not acceptable. The CD or cassette can not be longer than 15 minutes and must be labeled with the student’s name, telephone number and names of the compositions.

Completed applications and recordings must be received by the BPO no later than Friday, Oct. 29, 2004. The mailing address is: P.O. Box 1582, Bellevue WA 98009. Those given further consideration will be asked to submit a second recording by January of 2005, and a selected group will then audition personally for Maestro Kajima in March of 2005.

To request an application, call (425) 455-4171 or visit info@bellevuephil.org.