NIU’s New Music Ensemble will perform Steve Reich’s piece, “Music for 18 Musicians” at 8 p.m. today in the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall in the Music Building.

“If people already know the piece, then they know why they need to come,” said Greg Beyer, NIU assistant professor of percussion studies and director of the ensemble. “If they don’t know the piece … well, the first time I heard it, my life was forever changed.”

Tonight’s performance is the result of a semester-long rehearsal of Reich’s piece.

“It is challenging and eye-opening to the students who haven’t had exposure to this type of music,” Beyer said. “Students need to be trained how to perform it, and instrumentalists need to reconsider their typical roles. I’ve asked the string and wind players to think as if they were percussionists.”

Also being performed is Reich’s “Electric Counterpoint,” a work for guitar choir featuring NIU student Nick Mizock.

Admission is free.