The Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, which opens its new winter season tonight (performances of Mozart, Arensky and Ravel with pianist Janina Fialkowska) at 8 p.m. in the Overture Center's Capitol Theater, is looking for an artist to create the official Concerts on the Square poster that will mark the concerts' 25th anniversary season next summer.

Mount Horeb artist Peggy Flora Zalucha, who has created the posters of the past 24 years, has retired from that annual labor but will lead a juried panel to select the artist for next year's poster.

A prospectus about the competition is now available to artists online at www.wcoconcerts.org or by calling the WCO offices at 257-0638.

The art deadline is Nov. 2. The juried panel, which includes Zalucha along with Peter Lundberg and Fran Taylor, will select an image that reflects the spirit of the Madison summertime tradition.

In addition to the winning artwork, the top 20 (or more) artists will have the opportunity to display their entries in Downtown Madison storefronts. The winning artist will be announced by Dec. 10.

Benefits to the winning artist include:

"¢Receiving a $1,000 grand prize.

"¢Having official posters created with the selected image. (The winning artist will get 100 posters for personal use.)

"¢Having the poster featured on the label of the official Concerts on the Square Wine, Wollersheim vineyards' Prairie Fume.

"¢Being included in selected events associated with Concerts on the Square's 25th anniversary summer.

DANCING TRYOUTS: In other audition news, local children are invited to try out for the Moscow Ballet's "Nutcracker" -- When it performs here.

Moscow Ballet will hold open auditions for its "Great Russian Nutcracker" on Sunday, Oct. 21 at the East Towne Mall at 11 a.m. and at the West Towne Mall at 3 p.m. Russian soloist Boris Baskakov will conduct the audition.

Applicants must have at least one year of ballet experience and must be between 7 to young teens.

Applicants must dress in ballet attire and bring pointe shoes, if on pointe. For information please contact Joan Lundey at 608 833-8885.

Moscow Ballet will present its "Great Russian Nutcracker" performance at the Middleton- Cross Plains Performing Arts Center on Nov. 28 and 29 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the box office, 800 320-1733, or on-line at www.nutcracker.com.