A special guest will be giving a recital at 8 p.m. today in the Recital Hall of NIU’s Music Building.

Classical guitarist Christopher Laughlin, a guest of the NIU guitar department and the NIU Music Society, is originally from Chicago and has performed extensively throughout North America and around the world.

Laughlin has performed as a soloist with the Symphony of the Shores, Chicago Chamber Orchestra, the Westshore Symphony, the St. Joseph Pro Musica, the LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra, the Northwest Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Symphony String Quartet. As a recital soloist, he has performed in Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Baltimore, Washington, New Haven and numerous other cities across North America. He has made two recordings for Peregrine Records-Danza! and Simplicio.

Laughlin’s education in music began in Chicago at the age of 14. He holds a bachelor of arts degree in music from Peobody Conservatory of Music and a master’s degree from Yale University. In 1984, he was awarded the Fulbright Grant to study in Paris with Uruguayan guitarist Betho Davezac, and continued for another year with a grant from the French government. While living in Paris, he won prizes in two international competitions; the Concours International de Guitar in Sable-sur-Sarthe, France, and the Concours International de l’U.F.A.M. in Paris.

Currently, he teaches at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music in Milwaukee, the University of Illinois at Chicago and at his Northbrook, Ill., studio.

His performance tonight will include the piece “Un tiempo fue Itálica famosa,” by Joaquin Rodrigo as well as “Three Venezuelan Pieces: Zulay; Adios a Ocumare; and Papelon,” by Antonio Lauro.

Students are looking forward to the recital tonight for various reasons. One student believes it is an opportunity to expand her horizons.

“I think the recital is a good opportunity for me to learn about other forms of music that I am not very familiar with,” said junior pre-early childhood studies major Vanessa Grimaldi.

“I would like to go because I enjoy classical music, especially the guitar,” said senior journalism major Naytonie Williams.

Senior media studies major Melinda Leonas agrees, ” I think it is important for people to learn about music and the many forms it comes in, including classical guitar.”

The event is free and open to the public. For information call Lynn Slater at 753-1546.