The Maple Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra is inviting new singers to join its 2010-2011 season beginning Jan. 3.

MVYSO will host mid-season auditions Jan. 5 and 12 at the Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, located at 23855 SE 216th St., Maple Valley.

“There is always room to add a motivated student. Our second trimester is a great place to start” said Elisa Lewis, MVYSO executive director.

The youth symphony has openings in three of its performing groups.

The debut orchestra is designed for students with one to three years of playing experience and teaches the student the skills and confidence to perform in a group setting.

The philharmonia orchestra is designed for students with two or more years of playing experience and provides the student with a balance of development and performance opportunities in order for the student to grow as a musician in a group setting.

The symphony orchestra is designed for the student with four or more years of playing experience and who is looking for opportunities to hone his or her playing skills and to perform in various settings.

“Our second trimester is going to be exciting” Lewis said. “We will be playing for a Seattle Thunderbirds Hockey Game, putting on a Waltz Gala Ball, and more.”

Students who are interested in joining any of these groups should contact the youth symphony by calling 425-358-1640 or e-mailing elisa@mvyso.org.

Students will be invited to observe a rehearsal of the group that they feel best suits them. They will then be invited to schedule an audition to assure appropriate placement in a MVYSO group. They may begin playing with their group at the rehearsal following the audition.

For more information, visit www.mvyso.org.