Music Ensembles and Classes for All Majors

Students of all majors can join ensembles in the Hayes School of Music!

Ensemble Audition Information

Please note that many ensembles (*) require auditions before the first day of class. Most auditions are on Sunday, January 14. See the audition page for sheet music, sign-up times, audition contacts, and other audition information.

Bands

To find out more about the University Bands, contact Dr. Jason Gardner at gardnerjp@appstate.edu.

  • MUS 1100 Marching Band ("The Marching Mountaineers"): Fall only, Tues/Thurs, 12-1:45 pm: No longer accepting applications for Fall 2023, but check back for 2024!
  • MUS 1125 Basketball Band: no audition required unless deemed necessary by the director
  • MUS 1101 Symphony Band: Fall, Mon/Wed, 6-7:45 pm. Spring, Tu/Th 12:00-1:45. audition required*
  • MUS 1102 Wind Ensemble: 3:00-5:00 Mon/Wed. audition required*
  • MUS 1104 Jazz Ensembles: I. MWF 12:00-12:50 pm, II. Tu/Th 2:00-3:20; audition required*
  • MUS 1127 Concert Band: Spring only, Mon/Wed 6:00-7:30pm; no audition required
  • MUS 1135 Steel Band ("Steely Pan Steel Band"): Tuesdays 6:00-7:20pm; audition required*

Choral Ensembles

To find out more about the University Choirs, contact Dr. Jake Taylor at taylorjc9@appstate.edu.

  • MUS 1108 University Singers: Mon/Wed 3-3:50 pm and Tues/Thur 12-12:50 pm; audition required*
  • MUS 1109 Appalachian Chorale: Mon 7-9:00 pm; no audition required - may be full for Spring 2024
  • MUS 1110 Treble Choir (high voices): MWF 12-12:50 pm; no audition required
  • MUS 1110 Glee Club (low voices): MWF 12-12:50 pm; no audition required
  • MUS 1117 Gospel Choir: Tues/Thur 6:05-7:30 pm; no audition required

Orchestra

To find out more about the Appalachian Symphony Orchestra, contact Dr. Alexandra Dee at deeao@appstate.edu.

  • MUS 1105 Symphony Orchestra: Tuesday/Thursday, 3:30-5:30 pm; audition required. View information on ensemble auditions. Audition schedules and requirements will be posted and updated throughout the summer. Auditions will occur just before and during the first class days of the semester (most instrumental auditions are on Jan. 14 this semester).
  • Non-credit, no audition required: Appalachian Community Orchestra, offered through the Community Music School. Thursdays 6:30-7:20pm beginning Feb. 1. 

Community Music School Programs

These Community Music School programs, which are open to students and non-students, do not require an audition and are not for class credit. There is a cost associated with the programs, but need-based discounts or assistance may be available. There are programs for youth and non-students as well. For more info, visit music.appstate.edu/cms, email asucommunitymusic@appstate.edu, or call 828-262-6629.

  • Open to App State Students: Appalachian Community Orchestra: Thursdays 6:30-7:20pm beginning Sept. 14. 
  • Open to App State Students: Private Lessons (times vary; beginning in September)
  • For Youth: Visit music.appstate.edu/cms to see our many programs for children, teens, and adults in the community. 
  • Employment: Email Lisl Doughton at doughtonlk@appstate.edu with your areas of interest. 

Courses designed for non-music majors (most award General Education credit)

See semester schedule for times and locations.

MUS 1000. Elements of Music Theory
An introduction to music theory for non-music majors. This course carries credit toward the music minor and elementary education major but no credit toward music degrees.

MUS 2011. Analyzing Style and Form: Music
A nontechnical course for students with little or no musical background. Emphasis is placed on the style and form of music, especially but not exclusively from the Western European concert (classical) tradition, as perceived by the listener.

MUS 2014. Jazz Music in American Society
Jazz may be the United States' only original contribution to music. Due to its comparatively recent emergence as a recognized art form, a great deal of confusion exists as to the meaning, origins, development, and the place of jazz relative to other areas of music. This course will define jazz as precisely as possible and show its evolution in the historical background of the United States.

MUS 2015. History of Rock Music
Study of musical groups, soloists and styles related to the evolution of this genre, and on related social, historic and political events. Pre-rock influences and rock music from the late 1940s through significant developments of the late twentieth century.

MUS 2016. Appalachian Music
A survey of Appalachian music including both instrumental and vocal styles, older traditions and newer regional forms. Students will have opportunities to develop musical skills through hands-on class projects and activities. (Same as AS 2016.)

MUS 2018. Introduction to World Music
A survey of musics representing international cultures. Emphasis is placed on the role of music in various life experiences.

Non-majors interested in taking other courses designed for music majors should contact Dr. Soo Goh, Associate Dean for .

Non-music majors who want to pursue additional studies in performance, music theory and aural skills, and other areas should consult the Music Minor page.

About Our Programs

Since the Hayes School is a large and competitive school of music, students might assume that only music majors are active in our classes and ensembles. But that's not at all true. Nearly all of our ensembles, including our most selective ones like the Appalachian Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, and Chamber Singers frequently have non-music majors in their membership. And many of our classes and ensembles, in fact, exist because of the significant numbers of non-music majors who participate in them. The Marching Mountaineers, for example, is usually equally comprised of music majors and non-music majors. The Appalachian Symphony Orchestra also involves significant contributions from non-music majors, especially in the string sections. And the same is true for most of our other choral and instrumental ensembles.

So if you're interested to participate as a musician while here at Appalachian, even if you're not a music major, please look through this list of courses and ensembles that are available to you. We would welcome the chance to meet you when you're over on this side of Rivers Street!