Appalachian State University’s Hayes School of Music is inviting students and the community to attend upcoming educational performances and workshops. The Watauga Democrat reported that the schedule features a distinctive concert by the Allard/Butterfield Duo alongside a residency exploring Holocaust testimony through music.
The Allard/Butterfield Duo will perform music for double bass and banjo on August 20 in Rosen Concert Hall. Dr. Craig Butterfield and Max Allard, who met as members of the EZRA Quartet, plan to present a blend of classical, jazz, and progressive bluegrass styles. Their program aims to showcase original compositions and diverse musical genres using this uncommon instrument pairing.
Artist-in-Residence D. Zisl Slepovitch will lead a three-day program examining Holocaust testimony, Yiddish music, and cultural memory. Presented with the Center for Judaic, Holocaust, and Peace Studies, the residency includes vocal and instrumental workshops where participants engage with songs preserved in survivor testimonies. These events are designed to teach attendees about the historical significance of the material through storytelling and performance.
Further supporting music education access, the school offers a free High School Honors Chorus Audition Workshop led by Dr. Jordan M. Shomper to help young singers prepare for state-level auditions. Additional faculty recitals and ensemble concerts are scheduled throughout September, all offering free admission to foster community engagement with the arts curriculum.
For more information, visit wataugademocrat.com.