The Nittany Valley Symphony and State College Choral Society are joining forces and talents for a benefit concert at 2 p.m. Sunday in Eisenhower Auditorium.

The groups, who have been rehearsing for this concert since early September, will perform Handel's Messiah and invite the audience to join in for the well-known "Hallelujah Chorus."

"Messiah is always popular around Christmas," said Karen Struble, executive director of the Nittany Valley Symphony.

"This concert is a festive way for people to get together."

The performance will feature vocal solos by Norene Ferris, Janice Miller, Brent Stater and Richard Kennedy.

The concert, presented by the Center for the Performing Arts, will be the first in a series of annual charity performances uniting the Nittany Valley Symphony and the State College Choral Society.

"Each year the concert will benefit a different agency in the area," said Janet Haner, general manager of the State College Choral Society.

The proceeds of this year's concert will go to The Music Academy, a non-profit music school in State College. The Music Academy offers a vast array of classes for students of all ages.

Students there range in age from 18 months to over 70 years.

The Music Academy also sponsors scholarship competitions to recognize and support the continuing music education of its top students.

"The Music Academy is a wonderful organization that promotes music for the community," said Haner. She added that the State College Choral Society and the Nittany Valley Symphony share this goal as well.

"It makes sense for two musical organizations to support another one," Struble said.

According to an e-mail from Bonnie Tatterson, the executive director of The Music Academy, the group is "honored to be the recipient of this special performance of Messiah."

Tickets cost $10 for general audience members and $8 for students and children.

They are available at The Arts Ticket Center located in the Eisenhower Auditorium.

For more information on the performance, call the Center for the Performing Arts at (814) 863-0255.