Indigo Girls (November 9), Johnny Mathis (December 22), Roberta Flack (February 14, 2013)—the Oregon Symphony doesn't invite just any artist from the pop-music world to be backed by its masterful musicians. Indeed, taking the stage with Oregon's premier orchestra at the Schnitz Thursday, October 4, Natalie Merchant will become a member of a pretty elite club.

Not that she needs the resume entry: the songstress and erstwhile 10,000 Maniacs frontwoman has amassed critical accolades and an enormous fan following over her three-decade career.

We got to hear what she could do with a string section on 1993's Unplugged album. But what will she do with horns, woodwinds, and percussion, too? 

This contest is now closed. Tickets are available through the Oregon Symphony.