On Saturday, July 13, the Island Symphony Orchestra will perform Leopold Mozart’s “Hunting Symphony” at Bay Shore’s Under the Big Tent Festival. The twist? The piece requires the participation of dogs who can bark when cued by the conductor.

“I believe I can safely say that, in its 50-year history, the Island Symphony Orchestra has never performed with dogs,” shared vice president of the orchestra, Susan Barbash.

Self-described as one of her nuttier projects, Barbash first got the idea to introduce canines for the performance when she came upon a Facebook video of an orchestra in Denmark auditioning dogs for an upcoming performance of the Leopold Mozart “Sinfonia.”

“I just thought the idea of performing with dogs was so funny. I hoped my fellow ISO board members would agree to present the work,” shared Barbash. “It took a bit of convincing, but I finally got the ok.”

If you think your dog is ready to make his or her orchestral debut, the Island Symphony Orchestra (ISO) invites you to submit a video showing that your dog can start and stop barking at your signal. Signaling must be done without using your voice, and dog owners must be a resident of Nassau or Suffolk County.

To fill out an application before the May 10 deadline, visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfbnhAO4E5_FLLf9kI2TbXIc-gGNCdRr4s5Il6qvRVJE_qjoQ/viewform.

A panel of judges will review all submissions and select six to eight finalists. The finalists will be announced on May 15. The finalists will be invited to participate at “in-person” auditions, which will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 8 at the Second Avenue Firehouse, 17 Second Avenue Bay Shore. Winners will then be announced on June 9.

If selected, your dog will “perform” with the Island Symphony Orchestra at the Under the Big Tent Festival on July 13, and owners of the winners will also receive a portrait of their dog painted by local artist, Hillary Broder.

This popular summer festival is co-sponsored by the Great South Bay Y and the First Baptist Church of Bay Shore. Held on the grounds of the First Baptist Church at 175 Second Avenue, Bay Shore, this year’s celebration will feature a Health Fair sponsored by South Shore University Hospital, a Kids Fun Zone sponsored by the Y, free ice cream, face painting, arts activities and so much more. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or have any questions, email susanbarbash@gmail.com.