‘Ode to Joy’ launches OES season
By Terry Murry on Friday, October 25th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – (News release from Oregon East Symphony) The Oregon East Symphony begins its 2024-2025 concert season with a performance of Beethoven’s choral symphonic masterwork “Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125” which will bring together singers and musicians from across Northeastern Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. OES Conductor Beau Benson will lead the Symphony and Chorale in two concert performances of Beethoven’s Ninth: 7:00pm, Saturday, November 9th at the Hermiston High School Auditorium (600 S 1st St, Hermiston, OR) and 2:30pm, Sunday, November 10th at the Vert Auditorium (480 SW Dorion Ave, Pendleton, OR).
The fourth movement of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony is the chorale movement popularly known as “Ode to Joy.” The text for “Ode to Joy” was adapted by Friedrich Schiller’s poem of the same name. The OES Chorale, under the direction of Chorale Rehearsal Conductor Carly Elder will sing. Joining the Chorale for “Ode to Joy” will be members of the Hermiston High School Choir under the direction of HHS Choirs Director Jordan Bemrose. Pianist Margaret Wetterling serves as rehearsal accompanist for both the OES Chorale and HHS Choirs.
“Ode to Joy” will feature top vocal talent from across the region as soloists for the concert. Soprano Shahayla Ononaiye (La Grande) is a private vocal instructor versed in opera, musical theater, art song, pop and rock, and is a regular performer with Elgin Opera House musical productions. Alto Emily Muller-Cary (Pendleton) serves as OES’s Principal Viola but has also been a featured vocal soloist, most recently doing so in last season’s production of Handel’s “Messiah.” Tenor Chris Leonard (Pendleton) is a member of the Pendleton Men’s Chorus and also a past soloist on “Messiah.” Bass Gabe Elder (Hermiston) is a regularly featured soloist with the Pendleton Men’s Chorus which will perform as part of OES’s Holiday Music Festival in December.
Through support from the Lamb Foundation, Greater Hermiston Community Foundation and Good Shepherd Health Care System, the Saturday, November 9th performance in Hermiston is free. Since there is no reserved seating it suggested attendees arrive early to secure their seat.
Through a season sponsorship from the Pendleton Foundation Trust, the Oregon East Symphony is offering free general admission to the Sunday, November 10th performance at the Vert. Free tickets are for any unreserved, floor-level seat and can be picked up from a list of downtown Pendleton businesses and organizations who are listed on the OES website.
Reserved seats for the balcony or floor-level are available for purchase through the symphony office (541-276-0302, 345 SW 4th, Pendleton, OR) and website (www.OregonEastSymphony.org).
Photo of Emily Muller-Cary provided by Oregon East Symphony
