Skip to main content

Appalachian Today

News and events at Appalachian State University
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • Contact
  • Events
  • Webcams
  • Podcasts
  • In the News
  • Research & Arts
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All News
  • Topics
  • Accolades
  • Alumni
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Athletics
  • Awards and Honors
  • Community Engagement
  • Diversity
  • Events
  • Faculty and Staff
  • Gifts and Grants
  • Global
  • Health and Wellness
  • Publications
  • Research and Creative Works
  • Safety
  • Scholarships
  • Students
  • Sustainability
☰ Menu
  • Events
  • Webcams
  • Podcasts
  • In the News
  • Research & Arts
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All News
  • Topics
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • Contact

Appalachian Wind Ensemble program Oct. 2 to celebrate the life of Dr. William A. Gora with music and reflections of guest speakers

View larger image

Dr. William A. Gora (1946-2016) served as the director of bands and a professor of saxophone at Appalachian from 1976 to 2006. Photos courtesy of Appalachian State University Archives

By University Communications
Posted Sep. 30, 2016 at 9:56 a.m.

BOONE—The Appalachian Wind Ensemble will present “A Concert in Celebration of Life” for Dr. William A. Gora, its former music director, at 3 p.m. Oct. 2 in the Broyhill Music Center’s Rosen Concert Hall at Appalachian State University. This is a Hayes School of Music event. Admission is free, and a live stream of the performance will be available at http://music.appstate.edu.

Gora (1946-2016) served as the director of bands and a professor of saxophone at Appalachian from 1976 to 2006. Many of his students pursued careers in music education and performance. He also guest-conducted widely in the United States and abroad, capitalizing on studies with the late Frederick Fennell, the famed conductor of wind ensembles. He played the saxophone in recital and in numerous ensembles, including the North Carolina Symphony. He directed Cannon Music Camp, held summers on Appalachian’s campus, from 1982 through 1994.

Dr. Jay C. Jackson, associate dean of the Hayes School of Music, was a student of Gora’s during the 1970s and ’80s.

“Bill was an incredible advocate for this university and, most specifically, the Hayes School of Music and our students,” Jackson said. “His ensembles and students made great music primarily because he was a fine musician and teacher. As a colleague, mentor and friend to many, Bill will always be remembered. His music, his teaching and his staunch support of those he interacted with will play on.”

Gora studied at the University of Florida and Miami University, where he earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in saxophone performance, in addition to studying conducting with Fennell. During his tenure at Appalachian, Gora conducted the Appalachian Wind Ensemble and arranged for many music luminaries to serve in residence with the group, from Fennell to Eddie Daniels.

View larger image
View larger image

“Celebration of Life” will feature performances of Gora’s favorite works for wind ensemble in addition to remarks by Jackson and other guest speakers selected by Gora before his death to share reflections about him at the concert. The speakers were students or teachers at Appalachian when Gora worked there, or they became his colleagues because of connections forged away from Appalachian’s campus.

The musical portion of the program will feature Joseph Kreines’ transcription of Percy Grainger’s “Mock Morris” (1910); Jacques Press’ “Wedding Dance” (1955); William G. Harbinson’s “The Maestro’s Flourish” (2005); and Charles Mackerras’ 1951 arrangement of Sir Arthur Sullivan’s “Pineapple Poll Suite.” Also on the program will be Richard Wagner’s “Trauersinfonie” (1844) and Gustav Holst’s “First Suite in E-flat for Military Band” (1909).

Harbinson will conduct “Maestro’s Flourish,” and Jackson will conduct “Trauersinfonie.” Dr. John Stanley Ross, director of bands and an associate professor of music at Appalachian, will conduct the rest of the program.

Appalachian alumni among the speakers will be Dr. C. David Ragsdale ’96 B.M., director of bands and music department chair at the University of Alabama in Huntsville; Dr. Raychl Smith ’05 B.M., an assistant professor of music education at East Carolina University; James Daugherty ’93 B.M. and ’94 M.M., president of the North Carolina Music Educators Association; and Jackson ’76 B.M. and ’81 M.M.

Also scheduled to speak are Robert E. Foster Jr., director of bands emeritus at the University of Kansas; Don Peach, who is on the adjunct music education faculty at Appalachian; Frank Kimbrough, a jazz pianist/composer who teaches at the Juilliard School; and Joe F. Phelps, a professor of music emeritus at Appalachian.

About the Hayes School of Music

The Hayes School of Music prepares young musicians for professional lives as performers, composers, music educators, music therapists, conductors and music industry professionals, ensuring the next generation of musical leadership for the state, region and nation. Noted for quality instruction by national and internationally recognized faculty musicians, the school offers four undergraduate degree programs and three graduate-level programs.

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.

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Share

Topics

  • Arts and Humanities
  • Events
  • Faculty and Staff

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Share

Topics

  • Arts and Humanities
  • Events
  • Faculty and Staff

Other Recent Posts

  • App State awards degrees to over 4,200 graduates ready to shape the future
    App State awards degrees to over 4,200 graduates ready to shape the future
  • Student research and creative projects spotlighted at App State’s annual showcase
    Student research and creative projects spotlighted at App State’s annual showcase
  • Will Sears appointed vice chancellor of university advancement at App State
    Will Sears appointed vice chancellor of university advancement at App State
  • N.C. Governor Josh Stein to address graduates at App State commencement
    N.C. Governor Josh Stein to address graduates at App State commencement
  • App State honors 29 students, faculty and staff with 2025 Awards of Distinction
    App State honors 29 students, faculty and staff with 2025 Awards of Distinction
  • App State to offer AI concentration in master’s programs [faculty featured]
    App State to offer AI concentration in master’s programs [faculty featured]
    WFDD
  • Campus emergency siren test to be conducted May 7
    Campus emergency siren test to be conducted May 7
  • App State students help restore national wildlife refuge as part of Alternative Service Experience
    App State students help restore national wildlife refuge as part of Alternative Service Experience
  • Dr. Neva J. Specht appointed App State executive vice chancellor and provost
    Dr. Neva J. Specht appointed App State executive vice chancellor and provost
  • $2 million grant funds scholarships, supports STEM education for over 50 App State students
    $2 million grant funds scholarships, supports STEM education for over 50 App State students
  • App State named Military Friendly School for 16th consecutive year, ranked a top 10 institution for 2025–26
    App State named Military Friendly School for 16th consecutive year, ranked a top 10 institution for 2025–26
  • Explore the future of business with new AI master’s degree tracks at App State
    Explore the future of business with new AI master’s degree tracks at App State

Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
  • Events
  • Videos
  • Galleries
  • In the News
  • Research & Arts
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All News
  • Topics
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • COVID updates
  • Contact

App State

Copyright 2025 Appalachian State University. All rights reserved.

University Communications
ASU Box 32153
Boone, NC 28608
828-262-6156
[email protected]

Abouts

Disclaimer | EO Policy | Accessibility | Website manager: montaldipa (beltmr) .. | Website Feedback

Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram LinkedIn Snapchat