Ben Folds to perform with the Piedmont Wind Symphony

Maestro Matthew Troy to conduct

"The Piedmont Wind Symphony, celebrating its 26th season, is proud to present “Ben Folds with the Piedmont Wind Symphony: Home for the Holidays” under the direction of new Artistic Director & Conductor, Matthew Troy.

The concert is on Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 7:30 pm at LJVM Coliseum, and will feature multi-platinum selling singer/songwriter/producer Ben Folds performing with the Piedmont Wind Symphony. He will perform his hit songs, “Not the Same,” “Stephen’s Last Night in Town,” “Zak & Sara,” “We’re Still Fighting It,” “The Luckiest” and more.

On collaborating with classical musicians, Folds said, “Innovations in pop music come slower and slower each year. I think one awesome door to walk through is this, the world of classical music from whence all our ideas of composition grew. That world is hurting right now and it could use pop musicians. And pop musicians could use the classical world because it’s so full of possibility and sounds. It’s endless.”

Alongside Folds’ hits and songs from “So There,” Folds’ newly released album, the Piedmont Wind Symphony will perform a number of holiday favorites as part of 2015’s not-to-miss holiday concert.

Maestro Matthew Troy commented, “As a longtime fan of Ben Folds, I am so thrilled to announce this musical collaboration and bring him home for the holidays. I know that this will show the community that the Piedmont Wind Symphony has a unique voice and is an important ensemble that brings world-class talent to the Triad.”

Ticket prices range from $35 to $75 and go on-sale Friday, Sept. 25 through www.ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster outlets, or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Limited cabaret-style VIP table seating available by calling the PWS Office at 336-722-9328.

About Ben Folds

A Winston-Salem native and graduate of RJ Reynolds High School (Class of 1984), Folds first found success with the Ben Folds Five. He has gone on to have a successful solo career, writing, recording and performing pop hits, as well as a recent new Concerto for Piano and Orchestra.

Folds, who serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Nashville Symphony, premiered his critically acclaimed Concerto in Nashville, and has been performing select movements of it and other orchestrations of his pop hits with major symphonies before sold out crowds across the globe. His new album, “So There,” features the Concerto, along with eight new “chamber rock” songs, and he continues to tour, playing symphony halls, as well as performances in rock venues. More information available at www.benfolds.com

About Piedmont Wind Symphony

For 25 years the Piedmont Wind Symphony (PWS) has provided excellence in the performance of symphonic wind music for the Piedmont of North Carolina and continues this tradition for the 26th season under the leadership of new Artistic Director & Conductor, Maestro Matthew Troy. Maestro Troy is known for his innovative and engaging programming to make great music accessible to all audiences. Each season the PWS presents Classical concerts, Holiday Pops with world-renowned artists, and Special Event Gala concerts, as well as educational and community engagement outreach. The Piedmont Wind Symphony is proud to be a funded partner of the Arts Council of Winston-Salem, Forsyth County. Season sponsors include Windsor Jewelers, Chris & Mike Morykwas, and Meghan Parsons: Marketing + Design. For more information about the Piedmont Wind Symphony visit www.piedmontwindsymphony.com.

About Maestro Matthew Troy

Maestro Matthew Troy is one of the most versatile and active conductors in America today. He has conducted extensively in the United States for a wide variety of performances. On the podiums of the Rochester Philharmonic, North Carolina Symphony, Portland Symphony, Greensboro Symphony, Oklahoma City Philharmonic, UNC School of the Arts Symphony, Salisbury Symphony, and was the conductor for the Cannon Music Camp in 2015. Troy is familiar to local audiences due to his previous work as Associate Conductor with the Winston-Salem Symphony for the past five years. In this role he conducted on Classics, Pops, Handel's Messiah, Discovery, Education, Holiday Pops, Side-by-Side, and Special Event Gala concerts. Recently Troy was selected to conduct the Oklahoma All-State Orchestra for 2016."

- A Press Release