By Melissa Jones—
MUNCIE, Ind.— “We’re all in the mood for a melody”—and on Sept. 18, Muncie Symphony Orchestra will give audiences just that, providing an evening of Billy Joel music.
MSO will be joined by Michael Cavanaugh, a renowned performer and musician who was hand-selected by Billy Joel to star in the Broadway musical “Movin’ Out.”
Cavanaugh first started performing Billy Joel hits with symphony orchestras with the Indianapolis Symphony in 2008. Now, Muncie is welcoming him back to Indiana for the first show of MSO’s 2021–22 season.
“It’s going to be an incredible show,” said Scott Watkins, executive director of MSO. “Michael Cavanaugh is a talented performer who rivals the ‘Piano Man’ himself, and the backing of the orchestra adds a powerful element that makes the concert unforgettable.”
“The Music of Billy Joel” will feature classics like “Piano Man,” “New York State of Mind,” “You May Be Right,” “My Life” and more.
This summer, MSO packed an outdoor venue when it put on a free Beatles concert in a similar style to what “The Music of Billy Joel” will be.
“Audiences who saw our Beatles concert know that this will be a fun, energetic concert,” Watkins said. “Through concerts like these, we’re hoping to reach new audiences and prove that orchestras are not necessarily what you may think. We’re not your grandma’s orchestra.”
Additional Pops concerts in the MSO’s lineup this year include “The Music of John Williams” on Nov. 13, “Holiday Pops” on Dec. 4, and “Glorious Gershwin” on Apr. 30.
“The Music of Billy Joel” will be at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 18 at Emens Auditorium. Tickets start as low as $20 and can be purchased online at munciesymphony.org or via the Emens Box Office (in person at 1800 W Riverside Ave. or by phone at 765-285-1539).
About Muncie Symphony Orchestra
For more than 71 years, the Muncie Symphony Orchestra has worked to entertain, educate, and enrich quality of life in the East Central Indiana community through meaningful, professional musical experiences. The MSO is made up of professional and community musicians, hailing from Ball State University, East Central Indiana, Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and Cincinnati. To learn more, visit munciesymphony.org.
