NC State orchestra students to perform at Wide Open Bluegrass in Raleigh

North Carolina State University's orchestra will join Balsam Range on stage at Red Hat Amphitheater this month during the Wide Open Bluegrass Festival.

Posted 3:46 p.m. Sep 3, 2019 — Updated 4:22 p.m. Sep 3, 2019

Jessica Patrick

, WRAL digital journalist

RALEIGH, N.C. — Students from North Carolina State University's orchestra will join Balsam Range on stage at Red Hat Amphitheater this month during the Wide Open Bluegrass Festival.

According to event organizers, select musicians from the Raleigh Civic Symphony and the N.C. State University music program will play a special set with Balsam Range on Friday, Sept. 27.

On Saturday, Sept. 28, Jerry Douglas, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Jon Fishman of Phish and Sierra Hull will join Sam Bush on stage for Del McCoury's "Delebration" set. According to organizers, a "major music superstar" will also join the set. That name will be announced later this month.

The full line-up for the festival was announced in August.

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The performances, which are free to the public this year, will start at 5 p.m. each evening at Red Hat, with other performances held daily at the State Capitol stage and at stages along Hargett Street, Martin Street, Davie Street and in City Plaza. Although admission is free to all shows, a limited number of reserved seats in prime sections at Red Hat are available for purchase.

“The new model in Red Hat Amphitheater ... is an intentional effort to take bluegrass to the masses by reducing barriers to participation," said William Lewis, executive director of PineCone, the Piedmont Council of Traditional Music, and producer of Wide Open Bluegrass. "All are welcome."

Lawn seating at Red Hat will be open on a first-come, first-served basis until the venue has reached capacity. A limited number of seats will be offered between $50 and $60 per ticket for IBMA members or between $60 and $70 for non-members.

The Wide Open Bluegrass concerts are part of the World of Bluegrass, a five-day event made up of showcases, a conference and the International Bluegrass Music Awards, which honor premier bluegrass bands and artists from across the country.

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Last year, organizers announced that World of Bluegrass will remain in Raleigh until 2021 -- at least. Since the festival moved to Raleigh in 2013, Mayor Nancy McFarlane said the festival has attracted nearly 860,000 attendees and generated a $48 million economic impact in the city.

Get the full festival schedule and more information online.