For anyone needing a good shot of culture, tonight's concert could be worth checking out.

At 8 p.m., the Penn State Concert and Symphonic bands will perform their first concert of the spring semester, for which they are always paired, at Eisenhower Auditorium. Although they play similar styles of music from an instrumentation standpoint, the two ensembles will offer completely different programs. O. Richard Bundy, who will be conducting the Symphonic Band, said the program includes some of the best concert music available for such bands.

"The band is intended to do formal concerts, and that is what we're doing," Bundy said. "The music is a little more serious than you would hear with non-concert bands."

Bundy, who is also the director of the Penn State Blue Band, has been conducting the Symphonic Band during regular conductor Dennis Glocke's sabbatical. While filling this position, Bundy recognized the band's high level of ability and refinement of performances.

"It's a wonderful experience, a great opportunity to be conducting some of the best performers on campus," he said.

As director of the Concert Band, Chris Bygott (graduate-conducting) described the concert's selections as standard band literature from the 20th century and earlier, and from the baroque period. He added that the variety of styles results in an interesting overall sound.

"I think it will appeal to all tastes," Bygott said. "Any kind of classical music lovers will enjoy all of it."

As part of tonight's program, the Concert Band will play a traditional Johann Sebastian Bach chorale and "Variants on a Medieval Tune" by Norman Dello Joio, which is commonly heard in the Christmas song "What Child is This?" The Symphonic Band has prepared "William Byrd Suite" by Gordon Jacob and "La Belle Helene" by Jacques Offenbach.

Bygott explained that the concert will showcase both great music and extremely talented musicians, and he said all Penn State bands continually present excellent concerts.

"It's a chance for [the audience] to experience music they might not be familiar with and to hear great musicians perform," he said.

Greg Bucks (senior-electrical engineering), who plays tuba for the Symphonic Band, also noted that the bands perform at a high level and play challenging, interesting music.

"I really enjoy most of the pieces we're playing," Bucks said. "It's high-quality band music."

For Scott Schneider (senior-psychology and sociology), this semester marks his first in the Concert Band, after being in both the Campus Band and Symphonic Band. Having played the clarinet since fourth grade, Schneider noted the emotions that emerge during a performance.

"I just love performing," he said. "You get this huge rush when it comes together. It's really moving."

Schneider recommended that students come to support the music program.

"I don't think many students have ever been to a band concert," he said. "It won't take that long, and it's a good time."

Bundy said anyone interested in great music will enjoy what promises to be a successful event.

"It will present some of the best concert playing that we have to offer from the School of Music," he said.