On any given night, local bars will be packed with people to see bands perform.Depending on the venue, these bands range anywhere from rock to dance themes to a few hip-hop and rap names. But there is one type of band that most people won’t see up on a stage in the middle of a smoky bar — a group of men and women playing the viola and cello.Usually reserved for the concert hall, these groups playing traditional instruments, such as the cello, violin, viola or double bass, are mostly associated with classical pieces and settings.The Contemporary String Ensemble is hoping to change this.In a joint effort between LSU and Loyola University in New Orleans, the Contemporary String Ensemble is working toward bringing these traditional methods into non-traditional settings by playing with a more contemporary style and appearing in more intimate and modern venues such as bars.The ensemble began last fall with an idea between LSU doctorate student Raul Gomez and his sister Andrea, a music industry major at Loyola University.”We had the idea to bring this older style to contemporary settings and introduce it to people our age,” Gomez said. “By playing a more popular sound, we want the classical to blur into a modern style.”Made up of eight LSU School of Music graduate students and 11 players from Loyola, the ensemble tries to incorporate all styles into their performance by mixing in wind and brass instruments and even electronic elements such as sound effects that blend with the instruments.”We use a variety of instruments, all depending on what the composer calls for,” Gomez said. “It runs anywhere from our core instruments to guitars, trombones and woodwinds.”The ensemble is not only trying to bring out a more contemporary style but also introduces more modern and original pieces of music by performing at least one piece of music by a local composer at each of the ensemble’s performances.On Friday, Feb. 20, the ensemble will be performing at the Dragon’s Den in New Orleans premiering original work by LSU doctorate student Ronaldo Cadeu, as well as Chilean composer Sebastián Valenzuela and Costa Rican composer Vinicio Meza.”It is important to let people know that there are great composers in the area,” said Sonia Bruno, music graduate student and cello player with the Contemporary String Ensemble. “We try to get the word out that there is great talent around LSU and New Orleans, composers and performers.”Part of this new talent from the University is Brazilian cello player Marcelo Vieira, who will open for the Contemporary String Ensemble and make his debut playing with the group this Friday.In his opener, Vieira will be performing songs from his upcoming CD “Cello & Voice — I Can Fly,” in which Vieira masters the challenge of singing and playing the cello at the same time in a very original way.”I am very curious to judge the reactions we will get at the Dragon’s Den,” Vieira said. “The purpose of the group is to bring different things to new people and make them ask, ‘What is that?'”The Contemporary String Ensemble will perform Friday at the Dragon’s Den on Esplanade Ave. in New Orleans starting at 7 p.m.Admission is free at the door, but donations are welcome to support the group.”We are inviting people to come experience something unique with our music and then stay with us for Mardi Gras over the weekend,” Gomez said. “People will enjoy this blending of the old and new, and I’m excited to see where it goes.”—-Contact Jake Clapp at [email protected]