Metropolitan opera auditions set for Nov. 17 The 44th annual North Dakota auditions conducted under the auspices of the Metropolitan Opera National Council will be held Saturday, Nov. 17, beginning at noon in the Josephine Campbell Recital Hall, Hughes Fine Arts Center. Korliss Uecker will conduct a public master class following the auditions. The auditions and master class are open to the public and makes for an enjoyable afternoon listening experience. There is no charge. The North Dakota auditions are part of a North American-wide system of auditions held in all 50 states and in Canada to find exceptionally talented young singers between the ages of 20 and 30 and assist them in their development. Singers in the North Dakota auditions compete for prize money and the chance to advance to the Upper Midwest Regional Auditions to be held in Minneapolis at the University of Minnesota Ted Mann Concert Hall Saturday, Jan. 19. The winners of the Upper Midwest and 15 other regional auditions held around the country will advance with all expenses paid to the national finals Feb. 17 and 24 on stage at the Met. It is estimated close to one-half million dollars will be awarded in prize money in the three levels of competition this year. The North Dakota auditions are generously supported by the University of North Dakota Fellows, the Department of Music and individual contributors. For more information call G. Paul Larson at 791-2612 or visit www.metopera.org -- G. Paul Larson, Director, North Dakta District of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, Economics (emeritus), gpaul_larson@yahoo.com, 791-2612