HOUGHTON — Chinese music will fill McArdle Theatre at Michigan Technological University at 7:30 p.m. Saturday when the Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada-based Orchid Ensemble performs.

Jared Anderson, chairman of the Tech Visual and Performing Arts Department, said the three-person group will be performing pieces of traditional and contemporary Chinese music and even a little jazz.

“They blend ancient instruments from China and create a new sound,” he said. “It’s just a fantastic ensemble.”

The group consists of Lan Tung playing the erhu or Chinese violin, Xiao Mei Zhu playing the zheng, or Chinese zither, and Jonathan Bernard on percussion.

Anderson said the group will play two sets, each about 30 minutes long. For the second set, conScience: Michigan Tech Chamber Singers, will perform with the trio.

“We’re joining them for three pieces in the concert,” he said.

Anderson said this will be the first visit to Tech for the Orchid Ensemble, but he saw them perform before.

“I heard them at a chamber music salon in Wisconsin,” he said.

The group has also performed in other Michigan locations, including Michigan State University, Anderson said.

Not only will the group be performing at Tech, Anderson said they will also be instructing students in the university’s sound and composition program.

“They’re going to give a master class at tech,” he said.

The Orchid Ensemble concert is part of a series of performances presented by the Visual and Performing Arts Department and the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts, Anderson said.

It was decided to present the concert in McArdle Theatre because with 250 seats, it’s smaller than the Rozsa, which seats 1,000. The audience members will be very close to the performers.

“It’s an intimate ensemble,” he said.

Because seating is limited, Anderson suggested people get tickets early. Tickets are $22 for adults, and $6 for youth. Tickets can be purchased at the Student Development Complex box office from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday.