The First Battalion of the Black Watch hasn't been to America in five years, but tonight, University Park is the first stop on its new U.S. tour.

More than 70 performers from the pipes, drums and Highland dancers of the First Battalion of the Black Watch, a division of the British army, and the Band of the Welsh Guards will take part in the show, which starts at 7:30 tonight at Eisenhower Auditorium.

"People will find it a rousing, fantastic noise," Black Watch member David E. J. Kemmis Betty said.

Several members of the group have never been to the United States before, although the group has performed all over the world. During wartime, the pipers and drummers of the Black Watch usually serve as a machine-gun regiment.

"We went to Iraq in 2003 for about six months and again in 2004," Kemmis Betty said. "We were also working closely with the U.S. Marine Corps."

During war, the instruments are also used as a form of communication and for battle cries.

"They wake people up in the morning, and there are various calls throughout the day," Kemmis Betty said.

Performing with the Black Watch is the Band of the Welsh Guards, also a division of the British army. They regularly participate in the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace and other ceremonies.

The Welsh Guards will perform pieces from each part of the British Isles.

"It should be a very colorful event," said Laura Sullivan, marketing and communications director of Penn State's Center for the Performing Arts.

While the Black Watch is only pipes and drums, the Welsh Guards round out the sound with trumpets, trombones, tubas, clarinets and other instruments.

"The two bands come together very well and complement each other beautifully," Black Watch member Will Colquhoun said.

Although the Black Watch will perform some drill formations, he said, the performance would be musical rather than visual.

"The show is all about the music," Colquhoun said. "It will rouse your heart because it's loud and impressive."

Dancers will play only a small role, "but their sword dance and Highland Fling is second to none," Colquhoun said.