One would expect it to be like mixing oil and water, but a rare performance this weekend will prove it false.

Joe Giunta, conductor of the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra, will have his hands full Sunday as he conducts not only his own group, but the Iowa State Marching Band as well.

Every year the Des Moines Symphony puts on its “Popcorn Pops” concert. This year the group hoped to add a even bigger sound — insert the Iowa State Marching band.

ISU’s marching band has never played with the Des Moines Symphony; however, Jared Wacker, a drum major for the band, expects it to be a good time.

“I think it will be great experience for the marching band,” Wacker said. “We’ve never had the opportunity to play classical music with a symphony.”

Together the two groups will play John Williams’ “Summon the Heroes” from the 1996 Olympics and “Stars and Stripes Forever.”

The marching band will also perform several selections without the orchestra including “Vienna Philharmonic Fanfare,” by Richard Strauss.

Marching band members are not the only ones on the list of guest performers for this year’s concert. Iowa native and harmonica virtuoso Robert Bonfiglio will perform a collection of blues and folk songs with the orchestra.

Bonfiglio studied at the Mannes College and the Manhattan School of Music where he worked with composers such as Aaron Copland and John Cage.

His music has been featured on commercials, television shows and movies such as “Kramer vs. Kramer” and “Places in the Heart.”

Bonfiglio has also appeared with the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall, and on “Evening At Pops,” as well as talk shows such as “Live with Regis and Kathie Lee” and “Larry King Live.”

As Bonfiglio enlightens listeners to the sounds of the classical harmonica, he said he hopes to popularize the harmonica as other artists did for the guitar.

Although the concert promises to be untraditional in many respects, the orchestra members appreciate a change of pace.

Seaeun Lee, violinist in the symphony, said she likes to play things other than Beethoven and Mendelssohn every once in a while.

“I really enjoy the pop concerts,” Lee said. “It’s so much fun and it’s really laid back.”

The concert will take place Sunday at Living History Farms in Urbandale. Because the concert is outdoors, Lee said it is advisable to bring blankets or lawn chairs for seats.

Tickets are $8 for adults and free to children 17 and under.

Tickets can be purchased at the door or at any West Bank location.