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CORVALLIS - The Corvallis-OSU Symphony Orchestra and the combined choirs from Oregon State University and Linn-Benton Community College will give Corvallis its very first performance of the monumental Beethoven Ninth Symphony on Sunday, Nov. 23.

Marlan Carlson, music director of the Corvallis-OSU Symphony and chairman of the OSU Department of Music, will conduct more than 250 singers and instrumentalists in the presentation, which will be at 3 p.m. at the LaSells Stewart Center on the OSU campus.

The choirs have been prepared by Steven Zielke and Tina Bull of OSU, and Hal Eastburn of LBCC. The four soloists will be Janet Hackett, soprano; Gale Hazel, alto; Mark Beudert, tenor and Peter Butler, baritone.

Composed over 180 years ago, "the Ninth" is a work that reigns supreme as the symphonic masterpiece of all time for many music lovers. However, despite the fact that the "Ode to Joy" theme in the last movement is familiar to nearly everyone, the huge forces required to present public performances of this 75-minute work mean that it is performed only rarely. Carlson characterizes this performance as a culminating moment in the history of the music department at OSU, in spite of an uncertain future for its choral programs.

"We are hoping to sustain this glorious level of performance in the future, even though there are severe budget cuts threatening OSU's choral programs next year," Carlson said.

Choral programs at OSU are facing the loss of 90 percent of their budget due to termination of funding from student activity fees that has supported choirs and other ensembles in the music department for more than 70 years.

Investment Realty of Corvallis contributed to sponsor this performance, which is presented jointly by the OSU Department of Music and the Corvallis-OSU Symphony Society.

Tickets are $20. OSU, LBCC and high school students are free with their school ID. Younger children are free with an adult. Advanced tickets may be purchased at Creative Crafts and Frame Shop, Gracewinds Music, Grass Roots Bookstore, Scandinavian Trading Company, Sid Stevens Jewelers, and the OSU Department of Music.