Appalachian State University

[CJBlaha]

Dear Prospective Music Students,

I'd like to take a moment to invite to you to consider auditioning to be a music major at the Hayes School of Music at Appalachian State University.

Appalachian State is located in NW North Carolina in the mountain town of Boone. The school has a population of roughly 16,000 with a student to faculty ratio of 17:1. ASU has an amazingly high freshman retention rate (87.4%) and is proud of its high academic standards, with a freshman class that boasts an average GPA of 3.87, and an average SAT score of 1163. ASU prides itself on being an environmentally friendly campus, as acknowledged by the National Wildlife Federation, and offers students a rich and diverse college experience. Boone is a magnificent town, surrounded by beautiful mountains, and offers an excellent array of restaurants, offcampus culture activities and plenty of opportunities to get outdoors to ski, white-water raft, hike.. whatever you enjoy!
http://www.appstate.edu/about/

The Hayes School of Music is an independent college operating within ASU, which offers a 9:1 student to faculty ratio. Our focus in the applied instrumental department is on the undergraduate experience. We do not have many graduate students so we concentrate on making sure that everyone, freshmen through seniors, has plenty of opportunities to perform and develop.
We offer degrees in Music Education, Performance, Theory and History... in addition to offering the chance to major in Music Industry and Therapy. Our facilities are more than adequate to house the number of students enrolled and our faculty actively performs and nurtures an environment of both scholarship and performance.
http://www.music.appstate.edu/index.php

If you are a high school junior or senior and have interest in majoring in music, we offer a "Student for a Day" program, that allows for you to observe and participate in classes, ensembles and lessons for a full day. Please check it out:
http://www.music.appstate.edu/student-day-0

We also stream many of our ensemble and faculty performances through our website, so please feel free to listen in and enjoy the music making that is going on here.

If you have any specific questions about auditioning for Appalachian State, please feel free to email me anytime: blahacj@appstate.edu" target="_blank

I certainly hope that if you are considering majoring in music, you will audition at Appalachian State University.

Thank you,
Dr. Chris Blaha

[king2ba]

In addition to the beast of a tuba/euphonium instructor and all around nice guy, Chris Blaha, Appalachian State also has one of the best band directors anywhere. John Ross is an amazing person to work with and always seems to come up with programs that keep everyone happy and busy. Not to mention NC doesn't suck as a place to live. Keep up the great work Chris!

[tubashaman2]

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[Chris Olka]

I normally don't bump for posts but students should check this out. I don't know Chris or his teaching but he seems to have a very good reputation. As a former student of Cannon (sp?) Music Camp, I spent a summer there and it is a beautiful place to live and go to school. The facilities are above average and probably even nicer now. I was there probably 20 years ago. It is a nice little town and a great environment for learning. Plus, you get to eat at the 'Daniel Boone Inn'! Used to be a great place to eat. Don't know if it still is. Anyway, bump for Chris.
Chris Olka
Seattle Symphony
Seattle Opera

[CJBlaha]

Yessir, the Daniel Boone Inn is still a local institution.
Cannon Music Camp is an awesome summer program designed for high school students.
More information can be found here:
http://music.appstate.edu/CMC/index.html

[windshieldbug]

I'll bump this, even though ASU isn't exactly a favorite here in the home of the Delaware Fighting Blue Hens...

[Biggs]

I'll bump this. Everybody's doing it. I just want to be cool.

[CJBlaha]

As mentioned by many people in this thread, Cannon Music Camp is a terrific summer music program held here at ASU. If you are a high school tuba or euphonium player and would like to spend 6 weeks in an amazing part of North Carolina, please check the following website for more information regarding the audition/admission process.

http://www.music.appstate.edu/CMC/index.html" target="_blank

Thanks!
Chris Blaha

[CJBlaha]

Bump for the fall 2011 auditions.
Details: http://www.music.appstate.edu/admissions" target="_blank" target="_blank

Thanks!
CJB

[Brown Mule]

I can put in good word for Appalachian music school as 1957 1st chair tuba player in nc state high school band which Appalachian hosted. Treated me great and haven't quit playing Tuba yet. Used old King Souzaphone with unmatched valve buttons and without a straight piece of metal on entire horn.

[CJBlaha]

Bump for auditions for students beginning in fall 2012.
Thank you!