Some of the worlds top musicians, conductors and composers will perform at West Virginia University when the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra returns to Morgantown as part of the 2008-09 Canady Symphony Series.

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra concerts will featureMovinOutstar Michael Cavanaugh singing the music of Billy Joel, world-renowned pianist Gabriela Montero performing George GershwinsRhapsody in Blueand celebrated violinist Nikolaj Znaider as soloist in theViolin Concertoby Erich Wolfgang Korngold.

All three performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre of the Creative Arts Center .

The series is the cornerstone of a partnership between the WVU College of Creative Arts and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. It is made possible, in part, through support from title sponsors Dr. William and Loulie Canady and series sponsor BB&T.

This partnership brings musical performances of the finest quality to Morgantown,said Dean Bernie Schultz of the College of Creative Arts.Each year these Pittsburgh Symphony concerts generate enormous excitement and enthusiasm with our audiences.

I am so very pleased that WVU presents this world-class orchestra to our community, and I thank Dr. William and Loulie Canady for their continuing and wonderful support of the arts in Morgantown,Schultz added.

This seasons performances:

• Nov. 5Michael Cavanaugh. Hand-picked by the piano man himself to star in BroadwaysMovinOut,Cavanaugh sings the songs of not only Billy Joel, but otherpiano menas well: Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elton John. Sing along to classic tunes from these celebrated artists, includingGreat Balls of Fire,Whole Lotta ShakinGoinOn,Lucille,Crocodile Rock,Just the Way You Are,Its Still Rockn Roll,Piano Man,New York State of MindandShes Got a Way.This concert is led by conductor Steven Reineke.

• Jan. 24, 2009Gabriela Montero. Andrés Crdenes returns Jan. 24 to conduct the orchestra in a concertfeaturing piano sensation Montero in George Gershwins jazz-inspired and popularRhapsody in Blue.Montero also performs a few of her own improvisations on the spot, a talent that has made her concerts unique. The concert ends with Felix Mendelssohns moving Symphony No. 5,Reformation.

• March 28, 2009Nikolaj Znaider. The final concert on March 28 will feature violinist Znaider performing theViolin Concertoby Erich Wolfgang Korngold, a Viennese master who later became renowned for classic film scores of the 1940s. Italian conductor Gianandrea Noseda leads the orchestra in Franz SchubertsGreat C MajorSymphony for a finale.

The three-concert package is $97.50 for the general public or $36 for students. Call 800-743-8560 or go to www.pittsburghsymphony.org for tickets.

The Canady Symphony Series is named for William and Loulie Canady in memory of their daughter, Valerie, a Morgantown native and WVU graduate who died in the crash of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, in December 1988.