"All Rise," composed by Wynton Marsalis, celebrates the integration of musical traditions from around the world. In addition to the Northridge Singers, the evening's performance will feature the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Philharmonic conductor Essa-Pekka Salonen will serve as the evening's conductor while Marsalis plays with the jazz orchestra.

"This is a great opportunity for the students," said Paul Smith, conductor of the Northridge Singers and a CSUN music professor. "It's also a great opportunity to get our name out there. This is a major reflection of what we've been saying about our school. Our programs can rate up there alongside anyone."

Smith, who is also a member of the professional singing group, The Paul Smith Singers, said he submitted a CD of the Northridge Singers' work when he heard Marsalis was looking for a choral group to take part in the West Coast premiere of his newest work.

"They liked it and asked us to join," Smith said.

Smith said about 20 of the Northridge Singers have been rehearsing this summer to get ready for the Sept. 13 performance.

"It's a complicated work," Smith said of "All Rise," "but the students are having a terrific time."

He said "All Rise" includes elements of jazz, blues, spirituals, gospel and classical music and requires about 100 voices. Members of The Paul Smith Singers and about 50 members of the Morgan State University Choir from Maryland will complete the "All Rise" chorus.

Following the Hollywood Bowl appearance, the Northridge Singers will be joining Marsalis, Salonen, the philharmonic, the orchestra and the other singers for a recording session of the work.

"It's fantastic," Smith said. "They'll get the chance to know Wynton and they'll learn a lot."

The Northridge Singers are the advanced choral ensemble at Cal State Northridge, representing the university in choral music performances around the country. Admission to the group is by audition and is open to all CSUN students.

CSUN's Music Department is internationally recognized for the quality of its programs. It is one of the largest music departments in the United States and is rated as being in the top 6 percent nationally by independent agencies.

California State University, Northridge has more than 30,000 full- and part-time students and offers 63 bachelor's and 51 master's degrees. Founded in 1958, it is the only four-year university in the San Fernando Valley and the third largest in the 23-campus CSU system. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges recently said CSUN "stands as a model to other public urban institutions of higher education."