An eerie theater matched with a frightful night creates the ambience for the Millikin University Percussion Ensembles' special Halloween concert.

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. today in Albert Taylor Theatre in Shilling Hall. It includes a costume contest, with awards given out during the evening.

The concert serves as a fundraiser for the percussion ensemble to attend this year's Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Austin, Texas.

Ensemble director Brian Justison said the concert received positive remarks and sold out last year.

"We are expecting it to continue to grow as we add more to the concert," he said.

This year's concert will feature the ensemble premiering two original works: Sabrina Pena Young's "Virelaan," a multi-media piece commissioned for the concert, and "Dominican Cycles" by Millikin faculty member Dr. Jeremy Brunk.

"It's the premiere," Justison said. "The chance for us to play these pieces is exciting."

Brunk, a Millikin alumnus, said his composition was inspired by the ensemble's tour of the Dominican Republic in 2007.

"One of the things we got to study was their folklore drumming style," he said. "A lot of their drumming styles have been preserved."

Brunk said he learned about merengue and gaga, two music styles of the Dominican Republic. He described merengue as the country's urban style of music, while gaga was the area's rural music that sounds similar to African drumming.

Brunk said his composition "cycles together drumming at different times and rates."

He authenticated the piece by incorporating musical instruments native to Dominican Republic. Some of these instruments, such as a fututo, similar to a brass instrument, were built to complement the sound of the composition, he said.

The piece also will be performed as part of the Focus Day activities at the convention in Austin.

WHAT: Millikin Percussion Ensembles Halloween Concert.

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. today.

WHERE: Albert Taylor Theatre, Shilling Hall, Millikin University, Decatur.

TICKETS: $7; free for Millikin students; tickets are available at the Kirkland Fine Arts Center box office, 424-6318.r online at www.millikin.edu/Kirkland.

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