Are you looking for a way to unwind after a long day of work and class (one that does not involve beer or Fox reruns)?

The ISU Symphony Orchestra offers a nice change of pace with their presentation of A Tribute to N. Laurence Burkhalter in the Recital Hall of the Music Building tonight at 5:10 p.m. The performance features N. Laurence Burkhalter as guest conductor.

Burkhalter was the chair of the ISU music department from 1966 to 1972, and he retired in 1985. He is currently the violist of the Ames Piano Quartet.

“This is the tenth year since he’s been retired,” said Kirk Smith, associate professor of music. “When I first came here seven years ago, he was still very supportive and always around the building.

“He was always in my corner. I thought this was the perfect time for a tribute, the opportunity to have him conduct.”

These particular pieces “are related in the sense that the conductors were influenced by each other,” Smith explained.

If you happen to be on campus late in the afternoon, forego the trip home and venture over to the Music Hall.

“We have these [concerts] at five so people don’t have to go home,” Smith explained. “It’s meant to be a convenience to the campus. Attendance has been excellent; the last few times have been standing-room only.”

The orchestra will start off with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Overture to the Marriage of Figaro, followed by the first movement of Robert Schumann’s “Piano Concerto No. 1.”

The next piece, “Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun,” was composed by Claude Debussy, and is a song that Burkhalter has never before conducted.

Two pieces by Johnannes Brahms will close the performance. The third movement of “Symphony No. 3” and Academic Festival Overture will wrap things up around 6 p.m.

The concert starts at 5:10 p.m. and is free and open to the public.