The North Carolina Symphony announces an all-new series of matinee pops performances.

Tickets begin at just $90 for three blockbuster performances in Meymandi Concert Hall at downtown Raleigh's Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts. All three performances begin at 3 p.m.

The 2011-2012 Pops Matinee Series begins with "A Carolina Christmas" on Thanksgiving weekend, Saturday, Nov. 26.

The concert includes the world premiere of a stirring new work for orchestra and a North Carolina string band by local singer-songwriter Laurelyn Dossett, plus "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," "O Holy Night," the popular Christmas Singalong and more.

Concertgoers will honor the season with Grant Llewellyn, music director; Grammy winners Rhiannon Giddens Laffan and Mike Compton; guitar wizard Joe Newberry; and the Concert Singers of Cary.

Then they can enjoy a high-energy afternoon of American rock favorites with "The Music of Billy Joel," Sunday, Jan. 22. Grammy and Tony nominee Michael Cavanaugh - praised by Billboard as "the new voice of the American rock and roll songbook" - joins the Symphony for "Just the Way You Are," "Uptown Girl," "It's Still Rock 'n' Roll" and all of the rest of Billy Joel's greatest chart toppers.

Finally, on Sunday, April 15, the orchestra invites audience members to hop off the train in River City for a fun and lively visit with fast-talking con man Harold Hill, Marian the Librarian and the rest of Meredith Wilson's colorful characters.

The Symphony is staging favorite selections from the treasured Broadway show "The Music Man," and it doesn't need all 76 trombones to make it a musical showcase to remember.

Tickets to this matinee series are now available online at www.ncsymphony.org or by calling North Carolina Symphony Audience Services at (919) 733-2750 or toll free (877) 627-6724.