Symphony fans and tea party enthusiasts both can indulge in a classy experience as the Nittany Valley Symphony holds its tea and symphony fundraiser.

Guests are invited to enjoy tea, a "tasty treat," and a bit of symphony music Sunday at 3 p.m. at the State Theatre, 130 W. College Ave.

"Actually the orchestra players got the idea of having a benefit [where] proceeds go back to the symphony," Ellie Lewis, event chairwoman, said.

"It's a benefit. The players knew we needed to raise some money and offered to perform in small groups to provide the music for this event," Lewis said.

"A person on the symphony board got the idea of coupling it with a tea party."

After the ensembles play for about an hour, there will be a tea party for everyone there.

Lewis has been doing the coordinating for the event.

"Members of the symphony and guild board and symphony board are preparing what we call the 'tasty treats' -- cookies, tea sandwiches and things like that. This is at least the fourth year in a row that we've done this," she said.

The fundraiser has been successful in the past, according to Trina Gallup, the principal bassoonist for the symphony.

Gallup said that she has been involved with the Nittany Valley Symphony for 18 years.

For Gallup, the event will also help her prepare for a journey she will make next month. Gallup, along with flutists Cathy Herrera and Diane Gold Toulson, will be taking their talents to Cancun to play music for a Hispanic literature conference. Since it is a Spanish-speaking conference, the trio will be playing Latin American music.

"We will preview a couple of the pieces we'll be playing in Mexico," Gallup said.

The three ladies have been playing together in larger ensembles for about five years.

The tea and symphony event will mark the first time anyone in State College will get to hear the trio play on its own, Herrera said.

"We're going to have a lot of fun. It's going to be a nice variety I think," she said.