Students can enjoy two Valentine’s Day concerts tonight, courtesy of the NIU music department.

The first show is at 6:30 p.m. at the Music Building’s Recital Hall. Cost is $15 for one person and $25 for a couple.

Lynn Slater, coordinator of admissions for the music department, said the Valentine’s Day Benefit Concert consists of a blend of popular songs.

“Various styles of music that will be performed include a light opera, some musical theater which includes Maria from “West Side Story” and a Korean serenade as well,” Slater said. “The music could be described as a light mix of love songs.”

Famous composers, most notably Mozart, Schubert and Brahms, will be represented in pieces performed at the concert.

Afterward, a reception will be held with food provided, and those attending the Valentine’s Day Benefit Concert will have priority seating for the second musical show, the NIU Philharmonic concert, at 8 p.m at the Music’s Building’s Boutell Memorial Concert Hall. Admission to the philharmonic concert is free.

Slater encourages students to attend the show because of outstanding talent that will be involved.

“The philharmonic concert should be wonderful,” she said. “The concerto performing contains amazing players and singers.”

The four NIU students performing — two pianists, a violinist and an opera singer — are this year’s student concerto winners, who originally had to perform in front of a panel of judges before their selection.

Philharmonic director Stephen Squires said getting ready for the concert took a great deal of time.

“We began preparing for the concerto, thinking up what pieces and songs to use, nearly a year ago,” he said. “Myself and the four concerto members started rehearsing when second semester began.

“It is remarkable how much talent that the audience will hear at the concert,” Squires added. “They’re representing the entire student population and the population should be proud of their achievements.”