Faculty and students from Louisiana Tech University’s department of music, as well as regional guests, will shine during two events happening this weekend. First, the Fourth North Louisiana Youth Percussion Ensemble Festival will kick off at 7:30 p.m. tonight in Howard Auditorium with a concert featuring guest artist and clinician, Anders Åstrand. Åstrand is a mallet specialist from Sweden who regularly performs around the United States, Latin America, Australia and Europe. The festival will continue on Saturday, March 21 with performances by several regional percussion ensembles. Additionally, Åstrand will provide feedback to each ensemble following its performance. At 11 a.m. March 21, Anders will present a clinic that will involve special door prizes. To conclude the event is a closing concert at 5 p.m., which will feature the Honors Youth Percussion Ensemble and select performances from earlier in the day. A complete schedule of events including ticket information is available at http://goo.gl/fPlBnT. Also, the Louisiana Tech Low Brass Ensemble will present a recital tonight at the South Central Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference in Conway, Arkansas. The ensemble will be performing music which was composed for the group by Louisiana Tech graduate Joshua Carver, Tech student Josh Mattison and faculty member Joe L. Alexander. Written by Judith Roberts – jroberts@latech.edu