SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Symphony Orchestra has announced an opportunity for young composers to have their musical voices heard in the first Springfield Youth Symphony Composition Contest.

Students in grades 1-12 can compose a song or melody with an opportunity for it to be arranged and performed by the Springfield Youth Symphony. Ten melodies will be selected and played by the Springfield Youth Symphony during its fall semester concert, Nov. 30, at Southgate Baptist Church in Springfield. During the concert, two melodies will be selected by judges and one will be selected through an Audience Choice award. These three melodies will be arranged by composition students at Cedarville University and will be performed by the Springfield Youth Symphony during its spring concert, April 25, at Clark State University’s Performing Arts Center.

Cedarville University’s professor of music theory and composition, Austin Jaquith, will be leading composition workshops in local school districts from now until the submission deadline. To participate in a workshop, contact Ashley Cain at the Springfield Symphony Office at 937-325-8100 or email [email protected].

Applications are due by Nov. 13 and melodies must be submitted via YouTube. For information and an application form, visit www.springfieldsym.org/melodycontest.html.