Hayes Viol Consort performs April 21

The Hayes Viol Consort performs April 21 at 6 p.m. in Broyhill Music Center’s Recital Hall at Appalachian State University. The consort is an ensemble in the Hayes School of Music.
Its members perform on instruments from the xx century or replicas, including the viola de gamba, a bowed, fretted string instrument from the 1400s.
The consort is directed by Eric Koontz, a member of the music faculty at Appalachian, and Gail Ann Schroeder, from Asheville. The program features compositions from the Medieval and Renaissance periods, as well as a variety of  consort songs and dances. Composers include Francesco Landini, Diego Ortiz, John Dowland and Henry Purcell.

Appalachian Guitar Ensemble performs April 26

Classical and contemporary compositions for guitar will be performed April 26 by the Appalachian Guitar Ensemble from Appalachian State University’s Hayes School of Music. The performance begins at 8 p.m. in Broyhill Music Center’s Rosen Concert Hall. Admission is free.

The ensemble is directed by Dr. Douglas James, director of guitar studies at Appalachian. Assistant conductors are students Justin Hoke and Peter Tarricone.

The program features “Attic” by Andrew York, “Beneath Earth and Sky” by R. Bullock and “Superman” by Five for Fighting. “Prelude No. 1” by Heitor Villa-Lobos features Daniel Thompkins. Scott Stone and Josh Coyle are the featured guitarists on “HCQ Strut” by Django Reinhardt.

Justin Hoke will perform guitar solo on “Concertino” by Alan Hirsh. Vocalist Jenna Smith and jazz  guitarist  Andy Page will be featured on three works by Antonio Carlos Jobim: “How Insensitive,” “The Girl From Ipanema” and “Agua De Beber.”

Violist Eric Koontz performs April 26

An April 26 recital at Appalachian State University features violist Eric Koontz. The program begins at 4 p.m. in Broyhill Music Center’s Rosen Concert Hall. Admission is free.

Koontz will be joined by fellow Hayes School of Music faculty members Bair Shagdaron, on piano, contralto Mary Gayle Greene and clarinetist Douglas Miller.

The program features “Sonata, 1979” by George Rochberg, “Prelude, Allegro, and Pastorale” by Rebecca Clarke, “Sonata per a viola i piano” by Salvador Brotons and “Zwei Gesänge” by Johannes Brahms.

Koontz joined the string faculty at the Hayes School of Music in 2005. He led the viola sections of the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra and the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra before returning to the United States to pursue studies towards the doctor of musical arts degree at UNC Greensboro.

An active chamber musician, he was a founding member of the Nayades Trio, the Reinecke Trio and the Quartet Glinka, with whom he participated in performances the Juan March Foundation in Madrid. In Israel, Koontz has performed with Music in the Desert, a festival for new music at Kibbutz Sde Boker.

Appalachian Gospel Choir performs April 26

The highly popular Appalachian Gospel Choir performs April 26 at 6 p.m. in Appalachian State University’s Farthing Auditorium. Admission is free.

The 100-plus member ensemble is directed by Jason D. Thompson.

The program includes “We Offer Praise” by Rodney Bryant, “Lord I Lift Your Name on High” by Ricky Founds, “Matthew 28” by Donald Lawrence and “For My Liberty” by the Southeast Inspirational Choir.

The choir will be accompanied by pianists Michael Alvarado and Jacqueline Gray; percussionists Shantakiya Cohen, Tyron Young and Matthew Faulkenbury; and bass player Joseph Brown.