Hayes School of Music

Appalachian Community Orchestra

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Appalachian Community Orchestra

ACO is a joint program between the Hayes School of Music and the Community Music School! App State Students must register through Appalnet.

The Appalachian Community Orchestra welcomes musicians of all orchestral and band instruments to make music, build teamwork, learn technique, and perform a concert each semester! Offered through the App State Community Music School, the ACO is directed by Dr. Alexandra Dee, Director of Orchestral Activities at the Hayes School of Music! ACO is an ensemble that draws from the whole community. From middle schoolers (14+) to adults, this is a great opportunity for those who can read music and have at least 2 years' playing experience to dive into challenging repertoire in a supportive environment. 

Dr. Alexandra Dee also conducts the Appalachian Symphony Orchestra, an auditioned ensemble that is open to App State students for course credit or to community participants via Community Music School registration.  

Program Information

  • Age: 14-adult
  • Experience:  At least 2 years of playing experience and ability to read music fluently. An audition may be necessary. 
  • Instructor: Dr. Alexandra Dee (Director of Orchestral Activities at the Hayes School of Music and Conductor of the Asheville Symphony Youth Orchestra) 
  • Time: 6:15-7:30pm
  • Dates: Thursdays, August 21 - November 20, 2025
    • Class will meet according to the App State semester schedule  
    • A syllabus will be provided.
  • Location: Broyhill Music Center, Room 119 (Spencer Rehearsal Hall)
  • Price: $250 (tuition assistance available - learn more below)
  • Additional Information
    • Participants should plan to attend all rehearsals, since all instrument parts are needed for the other members of the orchestra to rehearse effectively. Please notify the ACO conductor beforehand if you must miss a rehearsal.
    • Participants will need to bring their own instruments.

App State students (all majors), you will need to register for Appalachian Community Orchestra (MUS 1139) through Appalnet, not through the Community Music School. For questions about registering as an App State student, contact the music office at music@appstate.edu.

Register Here!

Registration and Payment Link:

LINK COMING SOON - check back the week of August 4

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 _____ [code will be added when registration opens]. 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.  

Applying for CMS Tuition Assistance (if needed)

  1. Proceed through the Iris registration form and add your program(s) to your cart. 
  2. The Tuition Assistance Application Form can only be accessed through the Iris Registration Form. When you reach the page with the Tuition Assistance Application Form, open the link and complete your application. 
  3. Within 2 weeks, you will hear back from the CMS office with your results. Tuition assistance, if awarded, will be applied as a discount to your order.
  4. You will need to return to your saved Iris form entry and complete your order with any applicable payment. Awards not claimed within 1 week may be forfeited. 

Required Forms (App State/CMS Ensemble)

  1. All Participants - Release for Use of Photography/Video/Sound: All participants (and parents/guardians of participants under 18), please come a few minutes early to the first rehearsal to fill out the required 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 we will provide for you on the first day. 
    1. This is an App State class whose performances and activities may be photographed, recorded, and published. In order to participate in this ensemble, all community participants must sign the media release on or before their first rehearsal. 
  2. Youth under the age of 18 require an additional permission form. 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.

Connect with CMS!