Half as old as the symphony itself is the group's Young Artist Competition, which will take place for the 30th time on Jan. 24 at the Succop Theater on the Butler County Community College campus.

New this year, the competition will be open for public viewing. The competition is open to any college age musician up to age 24 who graduated from any Butler County high school or non-resident attending Allegheny College, Butler County Community College, Clarion University, Geneva College, Grove City College, Indiana (Pa.) University, Thiel College, Slippery Rock University or Westminster College.

One student will be chosen to perform as a soloist with the Butler County Symphony Orchestra on March 14. Application deadline is Dec. 3.

For more information and an application, call the symphony office at 724-283-1402 or send e-mail to bcso1@juno.com. More information is available at the Web site, www.butlersymphony.org.