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Winners of the Indiana State University's department of music's annual Paul W. Hagan Concerto/Aria Auditions will perform with the University Symphony on Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m. in Tilson Auditorium.

The concert will be conducted by William Davis, associate professor of music, and will open with Beethoven's "Overture to ‘Fidelio'."

"Beethoven had a bit of trouble composing what he considered an adequate overture to his only opera. He made three previous attempts, now known as Leonore #1, 2 and 3. Of course, they are all good," said Davis.

Jason Wray, a senior from Bloomington, will then join the orchestra in the first movement from Gordon Jacob's "Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra." The concerto was composed in1956, when there were few concertos for the instrument.

The orchestra will then turn to the music of Aaron Copland. His suite from the ballet "Billy the Kid" was composed in 1938 and includes many cowboy tunes and American folk songs. It is a prime example of Copland's matchless ability to capture the spirit of the open prairie.

What follows could not contrast more, but is equally evocative, this time of late 19th century Vienna. Johann Strauss Jr.'s "Emperor Waltz" is described by Davis as "The best of the best. This, along with the ‘Blue Danube', is one of the two greatest waltzes ever written. The students just love it."

The program will end with two selections from "The Light in the Piazza," a recent Broadway musical, sung by Samantha Writtenhouse, a senior, music education major from Columbia City.

The concert is free of charge and open to the public. For more information, call 237-2771.