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A Symphony For Yorkshire, the Ö÷²¥´óÐã's project to find a new anthem for the county, is today announcing open auditions across Yorkshire for people who play all sorts of instruments – from guitars to violins, piano and the trumpet, and anything else.

The successful auditionees will become part of local history as they will perform the very first Yorkshire anthem, a rousing musical tribute which promises to celebrate the very best of "God's own county".

Composer Benjamin Till is writing the Symphony, which will be premièred on Ö÷²¥´óÐã Look North and on the Ö÷²¥´óÐã local radio stations across Yorkshire – Sheffield, York, Leeds and Humberside – on Yorkshire Day, Sunday 1 August.

Helen Thomas, Head of Ö÷²¥´óÐã Yorkshire, says: "These auditions will be a brilliant opportunity for local musicians from all across the region to get involved with our first ever anthem. People of all ages and abilities are welcome to come along and we are really looking forward to meeting the performers and hearing what they have to offer."

Local musicians who would like to take part are welcome to bring their musical instrument, plus a one-minute piece of their own choice, to one of eight open auditions being held across the region at the following locations:

Saturday 17 April, 10.00am-1.00pm
Ö÷²¥´óÐã Open Centre, Queens Gardens, Hull

Sunday 18 April, 3.00-5.00pm
The Joseph Rowntree School, Haxby Road, York

Tuesday 20 April, 12.00noon-4.00pm
Northern Theatre, Charterhouse Lane, Hull

Wednesday 21 April, 7.00-9.00pm
The Joseph Rowntree School, Haxby Road, York

Thursday 22 April, 1.00-4.30pm
Pictureville Cinema, National Media Museum, Bradford

Friday 23 April, 10.00am-2.00pm
Victoria Hall Methodist Church, Norfolk Street, Sheffield

Saturday 24 April, 11.00am-2.00pm
Ö÷²¥´óÐã Sheffield Open Centre, 54 Shoreham Street, Sheffield

Sunday 25 April, 12.00noon-4.00pm
Leeds College of Music, 3 Quarry Hill, Leeds

As well as those creating the symphony, people of all ages are welcome to submit their lyrics for the anthem itself, of between eight and 12 lines long, describing exactly what Yorkshire means to them.

Entries can be sent to: A Symphony For Yorkshire, Ö÷²¥´óÐã Broadcasting Centre, 2 St Peters Square, Leeds, LS9 8AH, or via email: yorkshirepoem@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, address, contact number and age.

The closing date for submissions is 19 April 2010.

CM2