Hayes School of Music

Appalachian Youth Chorale

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Appalachian Youth Chorale

The Appalachian Youth Chorale is a choral ensemble consisting of 10 weekly group sessions. We will work on confidence while singing alone and in a group, explore and learn songs from a variety of cultures and genres, and culminate the session with a final concert for the class - all in a fun and engaging environment.

When you come to a rehearsal with the Appalachian Youth Chorale, you will experience a fun and fast-paced rehearsal that focuses on developing musicianship skills along with vocal skills. We learn the basics of music note reading, utilizing solfege to learn how to sing music by sight. Additionally, we have fun exploring our voices and learning how to work together as a group. The rehearsal is a safe space for everyone to learn and grow in a positive environment. We sing a variety of music to include songs from around the world and from different time periods. We like to move and express music with our whole bodies. We teach performance etiquette and discipline but in a positive way that still allows for self expression. Above all, we are a place for young musicians to sing, inspire and celebrate their unique voices!

Elizabeth Salter, smiling and posing in front of a church organ and stained glass windowsElizabeth Ann Salter is the conductor of the Appalachian Youth Chorale! Ms. Salter is a versatile musician, educator and conductor with a deep commitment to developing young voices and fostering musical excellence. She holds a Bachelor of Music with high honors in piano performance from the University of Toledo and a Master of Music in keyboard performance from Appalachian State University. Her training also includes summer studies at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and The Chautauqua Institution. Elizabeth currently serves as Director of Sacred Music at Saint Leo the Great Catholic Church and Saint Leo Catholic School in Winston-Salem. She sings with the Winston-Salem Symphony Chorus and performs with Wake Forest University’s Balinese Gamelan ensemble, reflecting her broad musical interests across both Western and non-Western traditions.

Program Information

  • Age: 7-14 (students age 15-18 may join as High School Mentors)
  • Experience: No prior singing experience is necessary.
  • Instructor: Elizabeth Salter with collaborative pianist Emma Pullium. Ms. Salter has worked with the AYC students in rehearsals for several years as the collaborative pianist, and looks forward to leading the group this semester!
  • Time: 5:00-5:50pm
  • Dates: Tuesdays, September 2 - December 2, 2025
    • Class will meet 10 times with remaining dates reserved for make-ups as needed. 
    • No Class on October 14th
  • Location: Broyhill Music Center, Room 225
  • Price: $250 (tuition assistance available - learn more below)
  • Music will be provided. Students will be issued a folder with their music.

Registration for Group Programs

Registration and Payment Link:

https://appstate.irisregistration.com/Form/GROUPFALL25

The link above is only for community members, not for App State students. 

Registration Tips

  • New Format! This year, you can enroll in one or more CMS Group Programs through one registration link. 
  • If asked for a code, enter GROUPFALL25. If you do not have an Iris account, you will need to create one and return to the form. 
  • For technical help with Iris Registration forms, please contact Carey Driskell (driskellc@appstate.edu, (828) 262-2942) in the Office of Conference and Event Services.
  • For participants under 18, a parent/guardian will need to complete the registration.
  • Before registering, please review the CMS Musician Handbook.  

Group Program Payment Options

  • By making the full payment of $250 per program during registration, you will not have to log in to Iris again the rest of the semester. Enjoy your class!
  • Alternatively, you may choose the option in checkout to make a minimum deposit of $75 per program to secure registration and begin attending the class/ensemble. 
    • The remaining payment will be due by September 15. This could be the remaining $175 if the class is purchased at regular price, or a reduced amount if approved for tuition assistance (see below for details). 

Applying for Need-based Tuition Assistance

  1. Proceed through the Iris registration form and add your program(s) to your cart. 
  2. Make a $75 deposit per program in order to submit your registration and join the program(s). 
  3. The Tuition Assistance Application Form will be sent in your confirmation email immediately after you have paid the $75 deposit. 
  4. You will hear back from the CMS office by September 2 with your tuition assistance results if you applied for tuition assistance by August 15 (or within two weeks if you applied later). Tuition assistance, if awarded, will be applied as a discount to your order, and we will notify you of your remaining balance due. 
  5. You will need to return to your Iris account, click “Make a Payment,” and pay your remaining balance by September 15. 
    1. If you find that you will not be able to pay your remaining balance by September 15, please email asucommunitymusic@appstate.edu before September 15 for payment options in order to remain in the class. 

Additional Registration Forms (Youth Program)

  1. For youth participants under the age of 18, a parent/guardian will need to fill out the Youth Form online before the first class. Youth may not join the class/ensemble until this is completed.
  2. All participants (and parents/guardians of participants under 18), please come a few minutes early to the first rehearsal to fill out the Release for Use of Photography/Video/Sound. You may download it from the link and bring your completed form, or fill in a blank copy provided for you on the first day. 

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