The Arts Association in Newton County announces auditions for their Young Artists programs including the Covington Regional Ballet Company, The Nutcracker, Oxford Singing Children, Oxford Youth Singers and Youth String Orchestra.

Audition packets are available for all programs. Contact the Arts Association for an audition packet at (770) 786-8188 or by e-mail at acoggin@newtoncountyarts.org.

Oxford Singing Children and Oxford Youth Singers auditions will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Aug. 13, 14 and 16 at the First Presbyterian Church of Covington (1169 Clark Street) in the sanctuary. Those auditioning should be prepared to sing simple and well-known songs such as Happy Birthday, Amazing Grace or something similar.

For past members of Oxford Singing Children and Oxford Youth Singers no audition is necessary. The season's first rehearsal will be held Aug. 30.

Youth String Orchestra auditions will be held by appointment from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 28 at the First Presbyterian Church of Covington in the sanctuary. Those auditioning should bring a prepared piece of music and be ready to sight read. For past members no audition is necessary. The season's first rehearsals will be held Sept. 4.

Private auditions for the Covington Regional Ballet Company will be held by appointment. Those interested in auditioning should contact the Arts Association office to schedule an appointment.

Auditions for The Nutcracker will be held Aug. 25. Attire for all age groups is as follows: Girls should dress in a ballet leotard, tights and ballet shoes. Hair should be pulled back from the face, preferably in a bun. Boys should wear a white T-shirt, gym shorts and white socks.

Auditions should begin promptly at the designated time. Please arrive at least 20 minutes prior to your audition in order to complete any paperwork.

Auditions will be held at Mainstream Dance located in the Lula Building (1123 Church Street) on the Covington Square. You must enter on the College Avenue side of the building. Mainstream Dance is located on the 2nd level.

Auditions for the 5 - 6 age group will be held from 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. The director will teach a 30-minute class in order to learn the abilities of those auditioning.

Auditions for the 7 - 9 age group will be held from 2:45 p.m. to 3 p.m. The director will demonstrate brief sets of barre and floor exercises for those who are auditioning to follow and perform.

Auditions for dancers ages 10 and up will be held from 3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. The director will demonstrate brief sets of barre and floor exercises for those who are auditioning to follow and perform.

Those who are auditioning should be prepared to demonstrate basic ballet skills as well as combinations demonstrated by the director. In addition those auditioning should bring a full body photo of themselves to the audition which will be turned in with their information sheets. Any size photo is fine as long as you can see clearly who the photo is of so the directors can place faces and bodies with names.

In the photos for auditions: Ages 4 - 6, any pose. Ages 7 - 9, Tendu a la seconde. Ages 10 and up, Arabesque (if no dance experience, photo can be any pose, but be dressed in dance or exercise clothing.)