BOONE—Songs of love provide the foundation for the Appalachian Symphony Orchestra’s Feb. 14 concert. With the theme “L’amour toujours” or love always, the performance includes works by Edward Elgar, Astor Piazolla, Jules Massenet and solos performed by winners of the Hayes School of Music’s 2015-16 Orchestra Concerto/Aria competition.

The free performance begins at 2 p.m. in the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts. Admission is free.

The orchestra is led by guest conductor Cornelia Laemmli Orth, assisted by Will Selle.

Opening the concert is Edward Elgar’s “Salut D’Amor, Op. 12.” Written in 1888, the well-known composition was presented as part of Elgar’s marriage proposal to his future wife. Junior music performance major Chandler Fadero will conduct the Elgar composition as well as the overture to Mozart’s opera “Così fan tutte, K. 588.”

Andres Orench will join the orchestra for a performance of two movements from Warren Benson’s “Concertino for Alto Saxophone.” Selle will conduct the orchestra.

Pianist Hunter Cox will perform the third movement of Tchaikovsky’s “Concerto in B-flat Major Op. 23.”

Tenor Remy Martin will perform “Pourquoi me reveiller” from Jules Massenet’s opera “Werther,” “La donna e mobile” from Verdi’s opera, “Rigoletto” and “Amor ti vieta” from Umberto Giordano’s opera “Fedora.”

The concert will conclude with the overture to Pyotr Illych Tchaikovsky’s “Romeo and Juliet.” The piece will be introduced by Professor Derek Gagnier from the Department of Theatre and Dance who will recite a monologue from the conclusion of Shakespeare’s play “Romeo and Juliet.”

About the Concerto/Aria award winners

Andres Orench

Orench is a music education major from Alexander. He has played saxophone in various school music ensembles including the Appalachian Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble I, Saxophone Choir and the Saxophone Quartet. His studies have included a tour of Italy with Jazz Ensemble I. He has also performed with the Hickory Jazz Orchestra and the Asheville Jazz Orchestra. Orench is a White Wind Scholar, and is a member of the National Association for Music Educators. He is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in music education, complemented by a Certificate of Recognition in Music Performance and a Certificate of Jazz Studies. Orench plans to teach middle and high school band when he graduates. He is a student of Scott Kallestad.

Hunter Cox

Cox, who has been playing piano since age 12, is a student of Dr. Rodney Reynerson. A junior music education major from Sanford, Cox is a member of The Honors College. He is a member and the treasurer of the Appalachian’s chapter of the National Association for Music Education. He studies saxophone with Scott Kallestad and plays violin as well. Cox also is a piano instructor with the Hayes School of Music’s Community Music School. A recipient of an AppalPIE Scholarship and the Will Hester Memorial Scholarship, Cox is pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance and music education.

Remy Martin

Martin, a senior vocal performance major from Medford Lakes, New Jersey, is a student of Joe Amaya. Along with performing across Europe with a national choir, Martin has performed as the lead in several opera and musical theatre productions. He has been singing classically for five years and said the opportunities he has had to perform have helped maximize his musicianship.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

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