PENDLETON — The Oregon East Symphony begins its 2024-25 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 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 9 at the Hermiston High School auditorium, 600 S. First St.; and 2:30 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 10, at the Vert Auditorium, 480 SW Dorion Ave. in Pendleton.

The fourth movement of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony is the chorale movement popularly known as “Ode to Joy,” according to J.D. Kindle, OES executive director.

The text for “Ode to Joy” was adapted by Friedrich Schiller’s poem of the same name. The OES Chorale will sing under the direction of Chorale Rehearsal Conductor Carly Elder. 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 during last season’s production of Handel’s “Messiah.”

Tenor Chris Leonard (Pendleton) is a member of the Pendleton Men’s Chorus and 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.

The Hermiston performance is free through support from the Lamb Foundation, Greater Hermiston Community Foundation and Good Shepherd Health Care System. Since there is no reserved seating, attendees should arrive early to secure seats.

The through a season sponsorship from the Pendleton Foundation Trust, OES is offering free general admission to the Nov. 10 performance at the Vert. Free tickets are for any unreseWrved, floor-level seat and can be picked up from a list of downtown Pendleton businesses and organizations that are listed on the OES website.

Reserved balcony and floor-level seats can be purchased through the symphony office (541-276-0302, 345 SW Fourth St. in Pendleton) and online at www.OregonEastSymphony.org.