Two free concert series return to Ohio University Southern this week and are designed to bring culture and musical variety to the students.

The Evening Concert Series, returning for its fourth season, should offer something for everyone, said Gail Thornton, cultural affairs coordinator as OUS.

"We had a two-fold purpose. We wanted to bring exposure to students of different types of music and entertainment," Thornton said of the goal of the program. "We also wanted to give the Athens music department some promotions in the southern part of the state."

"It is going to be a variety of vocal music and people who attend will be treated to a great show.&uot; The first program titled "All for the Love of Singing" will be performed Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. and will feature faculty from Ohio University.

Each year the series has grown. During the first year,

30 people may have attended. Last year, the series packed the 200-seat Mains Rotunda in the Riffe Center, Thornton said.

The Winter Quarter Evening Concert will feature the OU Jazz Percussion Ensemble on Feb. 13. In the spring quarter, the university will partner with the Paramount Arts Center in Ashland, Ky,. to present the The Singing Men of Ohio.

"It is very important to have a well-rounded student culturally," she said. "It was a dream of our former dean, Bill W. Dingus, for students to realize there are other types of music."

Also in its fourth year, the Brown Bag Concert Series returns to the Riffe Center Mains Rotunda this week. A mini-concert will be presented each Wednesday from 12:15-12: 45 p.m. from Oct. 3 to Nov. 13.

A variety of music has been scheduled and visitors are encouraged to bring their lunch.

All concerts are free and open to the public.

From the first to last Wednesday, the performers are Nick Sloan, vocal/guitar soloist; I-Town Soldiers, the Ironton High school step dance team; Adam Fry and Derek Parsons Duo, acoustic guitar; Kim Lawson and Tom Robinette, vocal soloist/piano; Mystery Scaryoke from The House of Collins!; the OUS Instrumental Ensemble and the Ironton High School Singers.

"This is part of our gift to the community," Thornton said. "OUS cares for the people."