Max Fomitchev, a Penn State computer science and engineering professor, is very excited about his next project.

But his undertaking has an element most computer and engineering projects don't -- a theater stage.

Fomitchev is organizing the TechnoClassica concert, which will combine a symphony orchestra with computer-generated music on one stage. It will take place at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Eisenhower Auditorium.

With visions of bringing classical music to a younger generation, Fomitchev has been working with other artists to perfect his creation and perform new versions of old masterpieces from composers like Bach and Beethoven.

"What we're doing is very new," he said. "The performers are very clever; they're raving about what we're doing."

Ryan DeNardis (junior-music composition) is involved with the orchestrations of the performance, helping to arrange the music for the performers.

"I really think it's something that should influence a change," he said. "It's very exciting we have something this new and revolutionary at this university."

With such a heavy workload, DeNardis was worried about helping out at first, but he felt his love of the performance's innovation obligated him to join in.

"There's a lot of experimentation in this genre, but I've definitely never written for anything like it," he said. "It's definitely a learning experience, and a very enjoyable one."

Fomitchev, who goes by the name UltraMax on stage, compared the music to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, a popular orchestra that combines progressive rock and symphonic metal with classical music.

"I have reasons to believe [this music] will catch on," he said. "Nobody has done quite what we're doing. People are trying new things. In one sense, orchestras are pressed for music with the extinction problem," which refers to the dearth of new classical compositions.

To achieve the sound he wanted, Fomitchev combined modern technologies, like synthesizers and turntables, with the Penn State Innovation Orchestra, a 24-piece orchestra with some players from the Pennsylvania Centre Orchestra and the Nittany Valley Symphony.

After searching State College and Penn State for talent to use in his performance, Fomitchev said he is happy with the performers he's been working with, including some students.

"I cannot wish to have different musicians; I'm blessed with them," he said. "It's not fair to say it's my music anymore; it's our music."

Finding performers was no easy task, though. Fomitchev had to search through multiple saxophone artists before reaching Greg Johnson, who contributes to the improvisation in the music.

"I did have to compromise a lot of what I wanted to play versus what was appropriate for this type of music," Johnson (sophomore-saxophone performance) said about improvising. "I like what Max is trying to do in combining modern with not-so-modern."

Excited for the performance, DeNardis is hoping for a full house this Saturday.

"The performance is going to be pretty cool," he said. "I think this is definitely something students deserve to get to witness. It's very exciting we have something this new and revolutionary at this university."

Planning to be a performance for all the senses, Fomitchev said some students were even contributing their skills to have a light show during the performance.

"Who knows whether we'll do it again, so it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," he said. "I think it's going to be a one-of-a-kind experience for everyone who attends. It's exceptional music."

Tickets are on sale ranging from $10 to $25. For more information on tickets and the performance, visit www.ultramax-music.com/tix/.