Carly Elder is the new assistant chorale conductor for the Oregon East Symphony.

PENDLETON — The Oregon East Symphony Chorale invites all interested community singers to join the chorale for its fall rehearsal and performance series of “Ode to Joy” from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.

The Oregon East Symphony and Chorale will perform the entire Ninth Symphony for its 2024-25 season-opening concert on Nov. 9 in Hermiston and Nov. 10 in Pendleton.

Weekly rehearsals will take place at the Pendleton First Presbyterian Church, 201 SW Dorion Ave., Monday evenings at 7 p.m. starting Sept. 16. Auditions are not required to join.

The chorale also announced its new assistant chorale conductor is Carly Elder. She is picking up the baton following the retirement of longtime assistant chorale conductor Steve Muller this spring.

A past OES chorale singer and rehearsal accompanist, Elder serves as choir and band director for Sunridge Middle School in Pendleton and as the organist for Pendleton First Presbyterian Church. Also a seasoned thespian, she has participated in multiple theatrical productions for the Elgin Opera House and College Community Theatre.

She received her bachelor’s of music education from the University of Oregon, where she was named the Outstanding Scholar in Music Theory and performed with the Early Music Collegium and Oregon Bach Festival.

Margaret Wetterling, accompanist for the Hermiston High School choirs, will take on the role of rehearsal accompanist for the chorale.

For more information about the OES Chorale, its rehearsal and performance schedule and to receive a vocal score, contact the OES office at 541-276-0320, info@oregoneastsymphony.org or 345 SW Fourth St., Pendleton.