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Email Announcements Received Today:

1) Concerto-aria Competition Winners Perform Feb. 15 at ASU

Winners of the Hayes School of Music’s concerto-aria competition will perform with the Appalachian State University Symphony Orchestra Sunday, Feb. 15. The 2 p.m. performance in Broyhill Music Center’s Rosen Concert hall will feature trumpet player David Marvel, clarinetist Steven Lease and violinist Victor Li. Marvel is a graduate student and performance major in the music school. Lease is a sophomore music industries studies major. Li is a junior music education major. The annual concerto-aria competition identifies the most advanced performers in the Hayes School of Music and gives them the opportunity to gain experience as featured soloists. A panel of judges selects up to three winners each fall who perform with the Appalachian Symphony Orchestra in the spring. Marvel will perform two movements from Emmanuel Chabrier’s “Suite Pastorale” and three movements from Johann Baptist Georg Neruda’s “Concerto for Trumpet in E-flat Major.” Lease will perform “Concertino for Clarinet in E-flat Major, Op. 26” by Carl Maria von Weber.” Li will perform Igor Stravinsky’s “Suite No. 1 for Small Orchestra” and “Suite No. 2 for Small Orchestra.”

2) Williams YMCA Hosts Pre-Valentine’s Day ZumbaThon Feb. 13

Join the staff at the Williams YMCA of Avery at 436 Hospital Drive in Linville for a pre-Valentine’s Day ZumbaThon. The event will take place on Friday, Feb. 13, from 5-7 p.m. and will cost $5 for members and guests.

3) Regional Vineyard Managers Gather at 5th Annual Grape Conference

The Sustainable Appalachian Viticulture Institute, Jewel of the Blue Ridge Vineyard, and the French Broad Vignerons, will host the 5th Annual Grape Growers Conference in the Madison County Cooperative Extension auditorium in Marshall NC on Thursday, Feb. 26. Conference time will be from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

In an effort to expand and support the commercial vineyard managers of western North Carolina, the 5th Annual Grape Conference will be offering a roundtable discussion staffed by several prominent vineyard managers from the WNC region. Other vineyard managers or prospective vineyard managers attending the conference will be able to ask questions after the discussion is complete.

The featured Vineyard Managers on the roundtable include:

Philip Oglesby – Vineyard Manager, Biltmore Winewww.Biltmore.com/wine/wine-story/vineyards

Eric Case – Vineyard Manager, Burnt Shirt Vineyardswww.BurntShirtVineyards.com

Chuck Blethen – Owner/Vineyard Manager, Jewel of the Blue Ridge Vineyardwww.JeweloftheBlueRidge.com

Frank Lilly – Vineyard Manager, Overmountain Vineyards & Winery

www.OverMountainVineyards.com

Bob Binns – Owner/Vineyard Manager, Parker-Binns Vineyard & Winerywww.Parker-BinnsVineyard.com

The conference will also feature Recent Developments in Grapevines that thrive in the cold and mountainous terrain of our region; Wine Blending to develop unique tastes and flavors; and a winemakers Forum to discuss making wine from grapes grown in this  region. A free wine tasting of wines and other grape-based products will follow the last roundtable discussion. The conference Early Bird registration fee is $45 paid in advance before midnight Feb. 12. The regular registration fee of $50 will be for those who register between February 13 and noon on Feb. 24. This registration also includes lunch, coffee break refreshments, handouts, and free parking. Online registration is now available at www.GrapeSAVI.org until noon on Tuesday, Feb. 24. The Walk-in Registration for those registering after noon on February 24 will be $55 and there is no guarantee that lunch will be available. People who register in advance will receive a copy of the agenda and directions to the conference location. For additional information about the upcoming conference or to schedule a TV appearance or radio interview, please contact Chuck Blethen, Executive Director, Sustainable Appalachian Viticulture Institute, 828-606-3130 or email Blethen@GrapeSAVI.org.

4) SAT Prep Class Offered at Appalachian

Registration is now open for the AppState Office of Conference and Camp Services SAT Preparation Program. This course is offered in Boone prior to the College Board May 2 test date at Watauga High School. Students can choose the course that best fits spring schedules. For 2015, this six-session class will meet on the following Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday dates:

Course 1 – March 14, 17, 19, 21, 24, and 26  (starts on Saturday)

Course 2 – April 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, and 25  (starts on Tuesday)

This comprehensive program offers eleven hours of math instruction and eleven hours in verbal preparation. Information is also provided regarding test taking skills and strategies, and tips to reduce test anxiety. Information and registration is available at the links below:

March Course: http://conferences-camps.appstate.edu/youth-camps/sat-prep-course-march

April Course: http://conferences-camps.appstate.edu/youth-camps/sat-prep-course-april

Registration is limited, and this course usually fills quickly. If you have any questions please contact Teri Reddick at 828-262-2530

5) New Craft Enrichment Classes at ASU in February and March

A variety of community craft classes are beginning in February and March on the campus of Appalachian State University. Craft Enrichment at Appalachian State offers affordable classes taught by regionally known craft artists. These programs are open to everyone interested. Below is a list of classes starting soon:

Painting: Feb. 19 – March 19

Video Documentary Production: Feb. 21-22

Bead-making: March 17 – April 7

Biodiesel Production: March 19 – May 7

Glass Fusing: March 21 – April 11

Figurative and Animal Sculpture: March 28 – April 18

For more information on registration and prices, visit www.craftenrichment.appstate.edu or call 828-262-2530.

6) Boone Country Dancers Hold Contra Dance Feb. 14

The Boone Country Dancers will be at the Old Cove Creek School in Sugar Grove for its next community contra dance on Saturday, February 14. Everyone is welcome to attend regardless of dance experience. The evening will begin with a beginners’ workshop from 7:30-8:00 p.m. The goal of the workshop is to teach the fundamentals of contra dance with a focus on having fun. After the workshop, the regular dance will run from 8:00-11:00 p.m. with a waltz break at 9:30 p.m. The dance will feature the band Bob Kogut and Friends and the caller is Dean Snipes. Dancers of all ages are encouraged to attend and no partner is necessary. Come as you are but you must wear clean, soft-soled flexible shoes for dancing. As always, our dances are smoke and alcohol free. Admission to the dance is $7 for adults, $5 for high school students, and free to anyone 12 years old or younger. For further information please visit the Boone Country Dancers webpage at boonecountrydancers.org.