The Moscow State Radio and Television Symphony Orchestra & Chorus will provide a unique opportunity to ISU students — Friday’s performance will include selected ISU choral students as part of the show.

The orchestra and chorus, originally formed as a way to create programming for radio and television outlets in Russia, the group has expanded its activities significantly. The orchestra now has a 36-week subscription service in Moscow and performs numerous educational programs for children and students.

The outfit is composed of a 90-person orchestra and a 60-member chorus and is conducted by Sergey Krondrashev. The orchestra was founded in 1978 and is currently on its second tour of the United States. During the roughly two months they will be touring in the United States, they will visit 47 cities and play 43 concerts.

The orchestra will be performing a “Tchaikovsky Gala” containing works from the famous Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Selected ISU choral students will join the orchestra for the performance of “The 1812 Overture.”

While traveling the globe, the orchestra always enjoys playing on college campuses.

“I can not say that I like to perform on college campuses, but rather I love that,” Krondrashev says in an e-mail message. “When I see young people in the hall happy, that gives me emotion.”

Although the group will be crisscrossing the United States until March, Iowa State is unique as the only stop where students have the chance to participate.

“This is the only program on this tour where an American choir will join ours for a concert,” Krondashev says.

“This is something we occasionally do at home in Moscow to increase interest of students in music.”

This provides ISU students the unique opportunity to perform with a world-class professional orchestra. Krondashev says student participation benefits not only the students themselves but also the performance.

“When there are people of different generations in the orchestra, everyone benefits from the other’s experience,” Krondashev says.

“Including a group of students often brings new life and new interpretations to the pieces.”

Unfortunately, presumably due to safety concerns, the performance of “The 1812 Overture” will not include actual cannons for bass drums.

“But, we will be fired with emotion,” Kondrashev promises.

Who: Moscow State Radio and Television Symphony Orchestra & Chorus

Where: Stephens Auditorium

When: 7:30 p.m., Friday

Cost: $17.50- $21.50 students, $33.50- $41.50 public