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Individual Donations and Support

Artistic excellence, accessibility, and audience engagement make An Appalachian Summer Festival unique. Because the festival is committed to affordable ticket prices, revenues from ticket sales cover only about 43% of its annual costs. Private support from festival donors must fill the gap in order to ensure a continued commitment of both quality programming and affordable ticket pricing.

Donor levels and benefits

CREATIVITY TAKES COMMUNITY – Our rewards are measured in impact. Because of your generosity, we remain committed to…

  • Affordable ticket prices and free events, ensuring arts access for all
  • Seeing the arts grow and flourish while building the next generation of arts lovers
  • Programming that emphasizes education and enrichment as well as entertainment
  • Artistic excellence that celebrates both established and emerging artists
  • Events that foster conversation, bridge communities, and strengthen social ties

$1 - $299 (Friend)

  • Advance announcement of festival lineup
  • Recognition in festival playbill and online

$300 - $599 (Contributor)

  • Advance announcement of festival lineup
  • Recognition in festival playbill and online
  • Early ticket buying privileges
  • Invitation to behind-the-scenes tour, upon request
  • Two (2) tickets to one (1) film in the film series

$600 - $1,199 (Patron)

  • Advance announcement of festival lineup
  • Recognition in festival playbill and online
  • Early ticket buying privileges
  • Invitation to behind-the-scenes tour, upon request
  • Two (2) tickets to one (1) film in the film series
  • Voucher for festival merchandise
  • Two (2) tickets to one (1) select classical performance

$1,200 - $2,999 (Benefactor)

  • Advance announcement of festival lineup
  • Recognition in festival playbill and online
  • Early ticket buying privileges
  • Invitation to behind-the-scenes tour, upon request
  • Two (2) tickets to one (1) film in the film series
  • Voucher for festival merchandise
  • Two (2) tickets to one (1) select classical performance
  • Complimentary beverage card
  • Invitation to Opening Night Celebration

$3,000 - $5,999 (Ambassador)

  • Advance announcement of festival lineup
  • Recognition in festival playbill and online
  • Early ticket buying privileges
  • Invitation to behind-the-scenes tour, upon request
  • Two (2) tickets to one (1) film in the film series
  • Voucher for festival merchandise
  • Two (2) tickets to one (1) select classical performance
  • Complimentary beverage card
  • Invitation to Opening Night Celebration
  • Parking privileges in Broyhill Music Center lot
  • Two (2) tickets for up to three (3) select performances
  • University-issued Chancellor Society campus parking pass (donors at $5,000+)

$6,000 - $9,999 (Artist)

  • Advance announcement of festival lineup
  • Recognition in festival playbill and online
  • Early ticket buying privileges
  • Invitation to behind-the-scenes tour, upon request
  • Two (2) tickets to one (1) film in the film series
  • Voucher for festival merchandise
  • Two (2) tickets to one (1) select classical performance
  • Complimentary beverage card
  • Invitation to Opening Night Celebration
  • Parking privileges in Broyhill Music Center lot
  • University-issued Chancellor Society campus parking pass
  • Two (2) tickets for up to five (5) select performances
  • Underwriting privilege for one (1) select performance
  • Recognition at sponsored performance
  • Invitation to curator-led VIP tour of the Turchin Center

$10,000+ (Director)

  • Advance announcement of festival lineup
  • Recognition in festival playbill and online
  • Early ticket buying privileges
  • Invitation to behind-the-scenes tour, upon request
  • Two (2) tickets to one (1) film in the film series
  • Voucher for festival merchandise
  • Two (2) tickets to one (1) select classical performance
  • Complimentary beverage card
  • Invitation to Opening Night Celebration
  • Parking privileges in Broyhill Music Center lot
  • University-issued Chancellor Society campus parking pass
  • Two (2) tickets for up to five (5) select performances
  • Underwriting privilege for one (1) select performance
  • Recognition at sponsored performance
  • Invitation to curator-led VIP tour of the Turchin Center
  • Invitation to artist Meet-and-Greet
  • Parking privileges in Schaefer Center lot

Thank you to our generous supporters!

An Appalachian Summer Festival deeply appreciates the support of its contributors. This list reflects contributions and pledges made solely to An Appalachian Summer Festival Annual Campaign. Please note that this list does not include gifts to other areas within Appalachian State University.

Premier Sponsors
$100,000 – above

  • Bonnie & Jamie Schaefer

Lead Sponsors
$50,00 – $99,999

  • Martin & Doris Giving Fund
  • Debbie Rosen Davidson & David Rosen
  • Charles & Nancy Rosenblatt Foundation

Festival Sponsors
$25,000 – $49,999

  • Steven & Lainey Brooks

Chancellor’s Circle
$10,000 – $24,999

  • Appalachian Home Care / Ellen Harrell
  • Wendy & Mike Brenner
  • Broyhill Family Foundation, Inc.
  • Explore Boone
  • Goodnight Brothers
  • Ralph S. Grier
  • Anonymous
  • Venda Lerch (in memory of Ralph Lerch)
  • Myron B. & Anne C. Liptzin
  • Mast General Store /
  • John, Faye & Lisa Cooper
  • Peak Insurance Group / Chuck & Anna Eyler
  • Neil & Nancy Schaffel
  • Gary Silverstein (in loving memory of Tina)
  • Circle S Foundation / Keith & Letty Stoneman
  • SkyBest Communications, Inc.
  • Nancy Tafeen (in memory of Mark Tafeen)
  • University Bookstore
  • Helene & Stephen Weicholz

Artist Circle
$6,000 – 9, 999

  • Chetola Resort / Kent & Shelley Tarbutton
  • Creekside Electronics Inc. / Lane & Joan Robinson
  • Joni & Peter Petschauer
  • Peabody’s Wine & Beer Merchants

Bravo! Circle
$3,000 – $5,999

  • Ashemont Title
  • Albert & Joan Benbasat (in memory of Esta Perlow)
  • Frank & Kay Borkowski (in honor of Denise Ringler)
  • James T. & Louise R. Broyhill Foundation / Marilyn Broyhill Beach
  • Natalie & Penn Broyhill
  • Sue & Steven Chase (in honor of Denise Ringler)
  • Courtyard by Marriott
  • Lynn & Barry Eisenberg (in honor of Denise Ringler)
  • Adrienne Finkel
  • Louis & Merle Feinberg
  • Suzanne Lasky Gerard & Bill Liebman
  • Hampton Inn & Suites
  • Holiday Inn Express
  • Sandy & Marc Kadyk (in honor of Denise Ringler)
  • Morris & Katia Lioz
  • Joseph P. Logan
  • Mike & Pam McKay / The Art Cellar Gallery
  • Premier Sotheby’s International Realty
  • Janet P. Pepin & Francesca K. Field (in honor of Denise Ringler, for her stewardship and dedication)
  • R.Y. & Eileen L. Sharpe Foundation
  • Sandi Finci Solomon

Benefactor’s Circle
$1,200 – $2,999

  • Jonathan & Marisue Beloff
  • Carol Berns & Ted Silver (in honor of Denise Ringler)
  • Carol & Morty Blumberg
  • Hanes & Lida Boren
  • Susan & Harvey Durham (in honor of Joseph C. Logan’s 95th birthday, and in memory of Senator James T Broyhill)
  • The Alfred B. & Josette L. Glover Family Foundation
  • Susie Greene (in honor of Denise Ringler)
  • The Bruce J. Heim Foundation
  • Rebecca & Jerry Hutchins
  • Bill Pelto & Linda Larson
  • Jenny & Wayne Miller
  • Traci D. Royster (in honor of Denise Ringler)
  • Julie & Gary Simon
  • Alex Sink
  • Helen Easter Snow (in honor of Denise Ringler, and in memory of Dorothy & Howard Easter)
  • Dolph and Liz Sumner

Patrons
$600 – $1,199

  • Brenda & Ira Abrams
  • Howard & Kathryne Brafman
  • Carolina Mountain Life Magazine
  • Barbara Watkins Daye
  • Mary & Nick Friedman
  • Molle Grad (in honor of Denise Ringler)
  • Marilyn Green (in memory of Don Green)
  • Kristina Groover and Marian Peters (in memory of Dr. Rosemary Horowitz)
  • Megan Hayes & Michael Kitchell (in honor of Kaaren & Lowell Hayes, and the matriarchs of AppSummer)
  • Mark & Barbara Moskowitz
  • Larry & Nanci Tolbert Nance (in honor of Denise Ringler and her service to the arts at Appalachian)
  • Anonymous
  • Charlie & Dottie Sykes
  • Wright & Tracy Tilley
  • Julie & Tom Trueman
  • Sam Tallman & Mike Zuravel
  • Mary Underwood & Ben Henderson
  • Claudia Van Essen (in honor of Hans and Inge Van Essen)
  • Todd Wright

Contributors
$300 – $599

  • Craig & Rose Bridgeman
  • Hank Foreman & John Baynor (in honor of Denise Ringler)
  • Lorraine Childers
  • Kathryn & James Douthit
  • Melinda Friddell & Shawn Vestey (in honor of Denise Ringler)
  • Anna Gaugert & Thomas Martin (in honor of Denise Ringler)
  • Dan Gaugert & Terry Harper (in honor of Anna Gaugert)
  • John & Janice LaCapra
  • Mac & Doris Leitner
  • Christina O’Brien (in honor of Sarah Heustess)
  • Marilyn & Neil Ramo
  • Denise Ringler

Friends
$125 – $299

  • Anonymous
  • Barbara & Ellis Aycock (in honor of Jenny Miller)
  • Bill Barbour
  • John & Bettie Bond
  • Jeannine Underdown Collins
  • George & Dyan Cutter
  • Sali Gill-Johnson & John Johnson
  • Laura & Kenny Kaufman (in honor of Denise Ringler)
  • Wendy Kulunas
  • Jane Lonon
  • Tim & Nancy Lorenzen (in memory of Keith & Leota Cloyed)
  • Gregg & Bonnie Marland
  • Conor McKenzie
  • Howard Miller & Nancy Clark
  • Doug & Susan Morton
  • Susan & Bruce Pettyjohn (in honor of Denise Ringler)
  • Tish & Tom Rokoske (in memory of Marion Dettbarn)
  • Carol & Hank Thompson
  • Karen Trefz (in honor of Denise Ringler)
  • Patrick K. Setzer
  • Martha Serola
  • Joanje & Robert Shirley
  • Preston & Dawn Snuggs
  • Tanya Shook Wilder
  • Allison West & Rick Suyao (in honor of Denise Ringler)

Member
Up to $124

  • Katie Darcangelo
  • Cecilia Hamilton
  • Jeff Handler
  • Lindsay & Jesse Miller
  • Peak Chiropractic
  • Marilyn Seward
  • Jim & Sandy Sheatsley
  • Laura & James Smith
  • Sandra Storey
  • Mary Rupp (in memory of Richard “Dick” Rupp)
  • Lynn & Joe Young

Presented by Appalachian State University’s Office of Arts & Cultural Programs, this annual celebration of the performing and visual arts is held every July in venues across the university campus, and features an eclectic, diverse mix of music, dance, theatre, visual arts and film programming. An Appalachian Summer Festival began in 1984 as a chamber music series, and retains strong roots in classical music, combined with a variety of other programming geared to almost every artistic taste and preference. The festival has risen in stature to become one of the nation’s most highly respected summer festivals, acclaimed for the breadth and quality of its artistic programming.

In recent years, the festival has been selected as one of the “Top 20 Events in the Southeast” by the Southeast Tourism Society. For many years, The New York Times has included An Appalachian Summer Festival in its “Summer Stages” issue, which profiles the nation’s most prominent and interesting summer arts festivals.