Next week, alt favorite Ben Folds rocks out in Raleigh in a two-night return to the North Carolina Symphony. The North Carolina native and pop music guru on the hit reality television show The Sing-Off joins the Symphony and Associate Conductor Sarah Hicks for two different concert programs on Thursday and Friday, March 22-23.

Folds, along with the orchestra, puts an epic twist on selections from his 15-year career on the cutting edge of rock music. The concerts take place in downtown Raleigh’s Meymandi Concert Hall and begin at 8:00 p.m.

Tickets are available online at www.ncsymphony.org or by calling North Carolina Symphony Audience Services at 919.733.2750 or toll free 877.627.6724. Tickets are also available through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or 800.745.3000.

Having earned a massive following for his peerless stage presence, acerbic wit and versatile musicianship on multiple instruments, Folds is no stranger to a musical challenge. The bestselling singer-songwriter has performed with Tori Amos, “Weird Al” Yankovic, William Shatner and the Boston Pops. He pioneered a new music platform with the first live concert webcast in 2006 and launched a nationwide recording tour for the 2009 album Ben Folds Presents: University A Cappella!

His most recent album, the career-spanning retrospective The Best Imitation of Myself, was released in October 2011. He will also reunite with his bandmates Darren Jessee and Robert Sledge from Ben Folds Five for a new album and subsequent tour later this year.

Folds was born in Winston-Salem and has frequently performed in the Triangle, including a sell-out appearance with the North Carolina Symphony in March 2010. Hicks conducted that concert and has also collaborated with Folds for performances with the Minnesota Orchestra.

For tickets, visit the North Carolina Symphony website at www.ncsymphony.org or call North Carolina Symphony Audience Services at 919.733.2750 or toll free 877.627.6724.

Meymandi Concert Hall is located in the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., in Raleigh.