The Minot Symphony Orchestra is looking for lyricists and poets to help celebrate its 100th season in 2025-26.

Through a collaboration with Minot State University, student, community and professional musicians come together to make up the symphony, currently under the direction of conductor Efrain Amaya of the MSU music faculty.

“We are asking writers, wordsmiths and poets with a deep connection to the Magic City to submit a 20 to 40 line poem to be considered to celebrate Minot in all things the Magic City represents,” MSO Executive Director Ellen Fenner told the Minot City Council Monday in announcing a lyrics contest. “The chosen text will be set to an original composition of music composed by MSU’s Dr. Emerson Eads. There’s no fee to enter, leaving no barriers.”

Entries will be accepted from all who call or have called Minot their home, Fenner said.

“Entries should invoke a sense of pride, hope and resilience. It should celebrate Minot’s past, present and future, acknowledging the hard work of its people, the beauty of our landscapes or the unique charm that truly makes us the Magic City,” she said.

The winner whose lyrics are chosen for the anthem will receive a $500 cash prize and two season tickets to the symphony’s centennial season. Details and entry forms are available on the symphony’s online site. Entries will be received until April 25 and will be reviewed by a panel of judges, including Minot Mayor Tom Ross, Eads and Amaya.

The winner will be announced at the May 19 meeting of the Minot City Council, and the premiere of “Minot Anthem” will be at a symphony concert with area choirs in March 2026.