Ben Folds performs with N.C. Symphony

Folds and associate conductor Sarah Hicks collaborated on songs from his latest album, "Way to Normal," at a sold-out performance on Thursday night in Raleigh. They also performed other songs from Folds' 15-year-career.

He and Hicks worked together last year when they teamed up with the Minnesota Orchestra, where Hicks is principal conductor of pops and presentations.

Folds is a native of Winston-Salem. He was a founding member of the trio, Ben Folds Five.

"I do love coming back and playing," Folds told WRAL News on Thursday.

Last year, Folds released an album of college a cappella groups performing his songs. It includes a track by the Loreleis at the University of North Carolina.

“I love doing the a cappella thing,” he said. “I think it ought to be emphasized more by the universities.”

Folds also served as a judge on last year's NBC reality show "The Sing Off," where a cappella groups competed for $100,000 and a recording contract.

The singer-songwriter said he is in negotiations to judge the show again this year.

In addition to his television work, Folds has also completed a new album. For this project, he collaborated on lyrics with author Nick Hornby, known for his books “High Fidelity and “About a Boy." Folds said the collaboration gave him more time to focus on the music.

“It’s the best-sounding album I’ve made, in my opinion. It just sounds and feels right,” he said.