The Montclair State Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Paul Hostetter, will perform its first concert in the Alexander Kasser Theater tonight at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. This will be Hostetter's first full performance with the symphony.

"To say I'm excited is an understatement," said Hostetter, who joined the music faculty in September. "The students have worked very hard and sound simply incredible. We are playing some of the most amazing music and to do it in a facility with such wonderful acoustics is a tremendous opportunity for our students."

The program, "Passion Dances," includes Berlioz's "Roman Carnival Overture"; Rachmaninoff's "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini" with David Witten of Music on piano; Debussy's "Dances Sacred and Profane" with harpist Jacqueline Kerrod; and Rimsky-Korsakov's "Capriccio Espagnol."

Witten has appeared as a soloist with the Boston Pops Orchestra, the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra and in chamber music performances with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He is active in performing and recording contemporary music.

"I wanted to program pieces I thought would both challenge and inspire the students," Hostetter said. "I also wanted a program that made aural sense, meaning I wanted a sensibility to how each composer's voice complemented the overall musical effect in the evening. Plus, it's a true orchestral showpiece that features athletic writing for the entire orchestra."

A graduate of Juilliard, Hostetter directs the New Jersey Symphony and other orchestras in New Jersey, Florida and New York. He has appeared as guest conductor with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, American Composers Orchestra, Philharmonica Virtuosi, New York City Opera and the Genesis Opera Company. He was associate conductor for Bernstein's "Candide" and the Gershwins' "Fascinating Rhythm" on Broadway, and has recorded with jazz and classical artists as well as with pop artists such as Celine Dion and Luther Vandross.

Hostetter said audiences can look forward to great future performances by the Symphony Orchestra. "We will be doing more adventurous programs with dramatic elements," he said. "We will continue to collaborate with world-class soloists, and with theater, dance and opera at Montclair State."

International tours also are in the orchestra's future. "We will continue to grow in size and quality, and we will work hard to bring the Montclair community the very best of music in one of the most beautiful spaces audiences can experience live performance," he said. "It's an exciting time to be a musician at Montclair State, and I'm delighted that I can be part of it."