NIU’s School of Music will present the bi-annual World Music Concert showcasing instruments such as a flamenco guitar, a chinese zither, a gong ensemble and many more exotic instruments.

“We put this on once every semester, and it’s always a wonderful and educational experience,” said Kuo-Huang Han, a world music professor at NIU. “This is one of the most relaxed concerts that NIU has to offer. It’s also, in my opinion, the most educational.”

The event will showcase a performance by Claire Qi, a graduate of the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing.

“She [Qi] will be an honor to have,” Han said. “She will be here all the way from China and the zither is a wonderful instrument to hear.”

The concert will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Music Building’s Boutell Concert Hall.

“Our concert is full of audience participation, which makes it interesting to children,” Han said. “That may be why we have so many families at the concert. Before each instrument or performance, I explain what it is and what part of the world it came from.”

Besides the guest act, the concert will also have performances from five student groups from NIU and a Tai Chi performance.

“I’ve known Professor Han for years,” said George Tarbay, NIU photographer and Tai Chi performer. “When I found out that there was going to be a Chinese music ensemble at the concert, I knew Tai Chi would fit in perfectly. It is an ancient Chinese exercise that looks like a slow motion dance. It fits in well with the ensemble.”

Professor Han brought world music to NIU 32 years ago when he began teaching. Because of Han’s retirement later this year, this will be his last world music production.

“I am very sad that this will be my last concert,” Han said. “But, I will still be involved in next year’s concert. It will be different being invited instead of inviting people.”

The spring concert is very audience orientated. The end performance, which will be performed by the NIU Klezmer Band, will involve audience members dancing right on stage.

“This will be the Klezmer Band’s first performance,” Han said. ” We’re all very excited about it.”