The saxophone -- an instrument that has often been ignored and shunned by great composers such as Brahms.

But today and tomorrow, this instrument will get its fair share of the spotlight as the North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) holds its 2007 Region Eight Conference at Penn State.

The conference will include dozens of professional saxophonists from New England, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, West Virginia, North Carolina and Michigan. The musicians will present concerts, lectures and master classes in a variety of solo and ensemble settings. It will also include performances by students and professors.

"The conference features 75 to 80 performers, either professors, professionals [and] students who are music majors or amateurs, but very good amateurs," David Stambler, professor of saxophone, said. "There are set recitals, and everyone will get 20 to 30 minutes to do with whatever they like."

Stambler, NASA secretary and conference host, was in charge of choosing the performers through applications and setting up the weekend's events. He said all students, both musical and non-musical alike, can appreciate the event.

"This conference is a great opportunity for all students. They get to see great players, master classes, lectures and recitals. And some even get to perform, which is a great experience," Stambler said.

Caleb Rebarchak (sophomore-music) said he is looking forward to the conference. He will be performing along with other saxophone majors from Penn State and other universities.

"I think that it will be a good conference. It provides us with a lot of opportunities to hear professional and collegiate-level saxophonists from the Northeast states. It's good to hear what these other studios are doing, and it will be nice to hear some professional saxophonists," Rebarchak said.

Stambler said the event is heavily classical and academic. Though the saxophone is not known as a classical instrument, there is a large repertoire for classical saxophone, mostly from 20th century composers.

"The saxophone was invented in 1840, so many of the great composers like Mozart, Beethoven and Bach didn't live in the time of the sax," Stambler said. "Therefore, orchestral music very rarely includes a saxophone part. It got its start from military bands and, of course, from jazz. Jazz saved the saxophone."

Stambler said it is hard for classical musicians to attract an audience. He said the audience needs to understand that the music is for listening and to provoke thought.

"Classical music is for listening, not for dancing. It's music to think about. Classical musicians don't know how to get the audience excited. It's hard to get a non-music fan interested in the performance," Stambler said.

Yet, he said he encourages all to come out and see the conference because it is very innovative. "You'll hear everything from the sublime and beautiful to wacky electronic. It's the entire spectrum of music, and it's some really serious professionals," Stambler said.

Kyle Snyder (freshman-music education) said he is still looking forward to all the conference has to offer him.

"I am really looking forward to attending it to have the experience to listen to the amazing musicians that will be performing there," Snyder said.