Auditions for Metropolitan Opera are set for Nov. 14 The North Dakota auditions conducted under the auspices of the Metropolitan Opera National Council will be held this year on Saturday, Nov. 14, beginning at noon in the Josephine Campbell Recital. A public master class follows the auditions. Judging the competition this year are Dr. Christopher Hunt of Indiana University, Doug Nagel of the RimRock Opera Company of Billings, Mont., and MET soprano Margaret Jane Wray. This marks the 46th year this competition has been held in North Dakota on the UND campus. The auditions and master class are free and open to the public and have always made for an enjoyable afternoon listening experience. The North Dakota auditions are part of a North American wide system of auditions held throughout the United States and Canada sponsored by the Metropolitan Opera to find exceptionally talented young singers between the ages of 20 and 30 and assist them in their development. Last year, 12 singers from North Dakota, Minnesota and Manitoba competed. Singers in the North Dakota district auditions compete for prize money and the chance to advance to the Upper Midwest Regional Auditions to be held at the Ordway in St. Paul on Feb. 6, beginning at noon. The winners of the Upper Midwest, and 15 other Regional Auditions held around the country will advance with all expenses paid to the National semi-finals on March 7 and the Audition Finals March 14 on stage at the Met. It is estimated close to one-half million dollars will be given out in prize money in the three levels of competition this year. The ND auditions are generously supported by the UND Fellows, the department of Music and individual contributors. For more information, contact G. Paul Larson at 791-2612 or www.metopera.org (click on Auditions then the National Council Auditions) -- G Paul Larson, Director, North Dakota District, Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, 701-772-4961