CORVALLIS - The Corvallis-OSU Chamber Orchestra will be joined by three choirs from Oregon State University to perform their annual holiday concert on Friday, Dec. 5, beginning at 7:30 p.m. at LaSells Stewart Center.

In addition to such holiday favorites as "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" and a "Christmas Sing-along," the choral and orchestra ensembles will combine forces to present two major works: Josef Haydn's "Maria Theresa Mass," and Gustav Holst's "Choral Hymns from the Rig Veda."

The OSU Chamber Choir and the orchestra will perform the Haydn piece under the direction of Steven Zielke, OSU choral director. Composed in 1799, this work represents Haydn at the peak of his creative powers.

Bella Voce, the OSU women's choir, and the orchestra will perform the Holst piece under the direction of Tina Bull, OSU music education director and director of Bella Voce. "Choral Hymns from the Rig Veda," reflects Holst's interest in Hindu philosophy and literature.

The Meistersingers, an all-male choir conducted by Zielke, will perform Pavel Chesnokov's "Let Thy Good Spirit Lead Me on a Level Path, Alleluia."

Also on the evening's program will be "A Klezmer Wedding," by local composer Mike Curtis, an instructor at OSU and first bassoonist in the orchestra. His composition is a hybrid that incorporates influences from both Klezmer and Eastern European folk music. Student soloists Abigail Sperling, flute; Heather Bolstad, oboe; Monica Zollner, clarinet; and Tim Hatcher, bass clarinet, will be featured.

Rounding out the program is a Viennese New Year's Day favorite, "Radetzky March" by Johann Strauss, Sr.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students and children under 18. 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.

Source: 

OSU Music Department, 541-737-4061

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