Sounds of music filled the air as the Penn State School of Music prepared a packed schedule for the semester.

Each week, associate professor of music Suzanne Roy organizes a meeting called Bach's Lunch, which is cosponsored by the School of Music and the Lutheran Campus Ministry.

Bach's Lunch meets at 12:10 p.m. Thursdays.

It consists of a 20-minute concert, followed by a bagged lunch social with coffee and tea provided by the Lutheran ministry. It is free and open to the public.

Roy said this concert is a great opportunity for small ensembles that don't get to perform often.

"You don't know everything about a piece of music until you perform it," she said.

Bach's Lunch will host the Penn State Bassoon Ensemble tomorrow at the Eisenhower Chapel.

Along with this lunchtime series, the music department has many other concerts planned.

Brandi Duso, publicity director for the School of Music, said Penn State is bringing in some exciting performers from all over the world.

Florilegium Baroque Ensemble, an international music group that recreates the style of music from the baroque period, is coming to Penn State for a week.

The group will be working with the Baroque Ensemble students, and at the end of the seminar the two groups will join together in concert at 8 p.m. on Oct. 16 at the Esber Recital Hall.

Duso said the residence workshop with students "is a great opportunity for students to learn more about the baroque style of playing."

Another popular group on the schedule of events is the gospel choir Essence of Joy.

Essence of Joy is an audition-only group and is open to students in all majors. The choir will be playing at 8 p.m. on Oct. 20 at Eisenhower Auditorium.

A new event for the School of Music combines musical talent with the performing arts.

From Nov. 15 to 17 at the Playhouse Theatre, York: The Voice of Freedom, written and directed by music professor Bruce Trinkley, will be performed.

This opera is told through the viewpoint of a black slave named York. It is based on the Louis and Clark expedition.

"This show will be exciting. It will combine students, professional members, outside performers, costumes, blocking and sets," Duso said.

The end-of-the-year Bandorama concert will keep up the tradition, as the symphonic band introduces the marching Blue Band on stage.

"It's a great event, we usually fill the auditorium," Blue Band director and concert conductor O. Richard Bundy said.

This concert will be at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 22 at Eisenhower Auditorium, and it includes the entire marching band.

The concert is set for the Friday before the last football game.

"It's a nice way to celebrate the season," Bundy said. "We get a wide array of people for the concert."

For more information about upcoming events, visit the School of Music Web site at www.music.psu.edu.