Hayes School of Music

Appalachian Symphony Orchestra - Community Member Registration

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Appalachian Symphony Orchestra

The Appalachian Symphony Orchestra is a Hayes School of Music ensemble accepting community members through the Community Music School. App State Students must register through Appalnet. 

The Appalachian Symphony Orchestra is the cornerstone orchestral ensemble at the Hayes School of Music and is led by our mission statement: Making Magic, Changing Lives, Forging Opportunity. Students in the ensemble give compelling, vital performances of repertoire that stretches from the baroque to today's living composers. We believe in the fundamental principle that making music is a social, essentially human endeavor. Our performances and rehearsal process are notable for combining generosity of spirit and irrepressible enthusiasm with intellectual curiosity, contemplation and global awareness.

Read more about the Appalachian Symphony Orchestra here. 

Community Member Audition Process

If you are a community member (not App State student) interested in playing in the Appalachian Symphony Orchestra, please...

  1. Reserve an audition time (these occur the weekend of August 16-17) through the process shown for your instrument on the Ensemble Auditions page. 
  2. Prepare your music and play your audition.
  3. As soon as you receive word that your audition for ASO was successful, visit this page again and register. 
    1. The registration link, where you can also purchase a parking pass, is available below. 
    2. Fill out the additional Youth Form for any minor participants. 
  4. Print and turn in the required Photo/Video/Sound Release by the first rehearsal.
  5. Musicians may find it helpful to arrive early for orchestra. Unfortunately parking may be difficult to find due to construction on campus.  

For questions about the orchestra, contact Dr. Alexandra Dee at deeao@appstate.edu. For questions about registration, please contact asucommunitymusic@appstate.edu.

The Community Music School also offers the Appalachian Community Orchestra (6:15-7:30 on Thursdays), which is open to ages 14-adult.

Program Information

  • Age: 18-adult (age 14-17 with prior permission of ASO director)
  • Experience:  AUDITION REQUIRED (see above for details)
  • Instructor: Dr. Alexandra Dee 
  • Time: 3:30-5:30pm
  • Dates: Tuesdays and Thursdays, August 21 - December 2, 2025
    • No Class on October 14th or November 27th
    • ASO follows the Appalachian State University semester schedule.
  • Location: Broyhill Music Center, Room 119 (Spencer Rehearsal Hall).
  • Price: $250 (tuition assistance available - learn more below)
  • Additional Information 
    • Participants will need to bring their own instruments. 
    • All participants are expected to attend all rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and performances.

App State students (all majors), you will need to register for Appalachian Symphony Orchestra (MUS 1105) 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.

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