The NIU Fine Arts Series begins at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday with a performance by the Ahn Trio at the Music Building’s Boutell Memorial Concert Hall.

The theme for the 2003-2004 series, which runs through April, is “Where Classical Meets Contemporary.”

Trained at The Juilliard School in New York, the Ahn sisters, Maria, Lucia and Angella, combine classical chamber music with anything from jazz-funk to ’70s classic rock. The sisters play the piano, cello and violin.

“People say they’re bringing classical music to the MTV generation,” said Lydia E. Feliciano, public relations coordinator for Campus Activities Board.

CAB President Jennifer Suerth is excited to see the trio because she enjoys their CD.

“Their music is cutting edge, but at the same time, they’re traditional,” Suerth said. “They’re so fresh – anyone can have a good time.”

Suerth said the trio even combines hair-band rock with classical music.

“They exemplify the whole goal of our series,” Suerth said.

The Fine Arts Series is sponsored by the Campus Activities Board Fine Arts Committee.

The committee is open to anyone. Students, faculty, staff and community members volunteer to meet one hour a week to discuss acts and help at the events.

Last year’s committee attended conferences to find acts. The committee reviews the acts and keeps narrowing them down until they find those that fit their theme.

“They [Fine Arts Committee] wanted to find acts that not only appeal to subscribers in the DeKalb community, but also in the NIU community,” Feliciano said.

The Fine Arts Series is funded by the NIU Student Association and the Illinois Art Council.

Other acts for 2003-2004 include Flamenco Vivo, Diary of a Mad Mexican and Kurt Perschke’s Redball Project.

Tickets for the events are $5 for students and vary in price for faculty and the general public.

For tickets, call 753-3146. For information on the acts, visit www.niu.edu/cab.