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  1. Support
  2. Individual Donations and Support

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 App Summer donors must fill the gap in order to ensure a continued commitment of both quality programming and affordable ticket pricing.

Donor levels and benefits

Your generosity makes an 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)

  • Recognition in playbill and online

$300 - $599 (Contributor)

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

$600 - $1,199 (Patron)

  • Recognition in playbill and online
  • Early ticket buying privileges
  • Invitation to behind-the-scenes tour, upon request
  • Two (2) tickets to one (1) film
  • Complimentary popcorn at Schaefer Center events
  • Two tickets to one (1) performance

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

  • Recognition in playbill and online
  • Early ticket buying privileges
  • Invitation to behind-the-scenes tour, upon request
  • Two (2) tickets to one (1) film
  • Complimentary popcorn at Schaefer Center events
  • Two (2) tickets to one (1) performance
  • Complimentary beverage card
  • Invitation to VIP reception

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

  • Recognition in playbill and online
  • Early ticket buying privileges
  • Invitation to behind-the-scenes tour, upon request
  • Two (2) tickets to one (1) film
  • Complimentary popcorn at Schaefer Center events
  • Complimentary beverage card
  • Invitation to VIP reception
  • Parking privileges in Broyhill Music Center lot during Rosen Concert Hall performances
  • Two (2) tickets to up to three (3) performances

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

  • Recognition in playbill and online
  • Early ticket buying privileges
  • Invitation to behind-the-scenes tour, upon request
  • Two (2) tickets to one (1) film
  • Complimentary popcorn at Schaefer Center events
  • Complimentary beverage card
  • Invitation to VIP reception
  • Parking privileges in Broyhill Music Center lot during Rosen Concert Hall performances
  • Two (2) tickets to up to three (3) performances
  • Underwriting privilege and recognition for one (1) performance
  • Visual recognition in Schaefer Center
  • Concierge ticketing service

$10,000+ (Director)

  • Recognition in playbill and online
  • Early ticket buying privileges
  • Invitation to behind-the-scenes tour, upon request
  • Two (2) tickets to one (1) film
  • Complimentary popcorn at Schaefer Center events
  • Complimentary beverage card
  • Invitation to VIP reception
  • Underwriting privilege and recognition for one (1) performance
  • Visual recognition in Schaefer Center
  • Concierge ticketing service
  • Two (2) tickets to up to five (5) performances
  • Invitation to artist Meet-and-Greet (pending artist availability)
  • Parking privileges in Broyhill Music Center lot for all performances, excluding film nights

$15,000+ (Producer)

  • Recognition in playbill and online
  • Early ticket buying privileges
  • Invitation to behind-the-scenes tour, upon request
  • Two (2) tickets to one (1) film
  • Complimentary popcorn at Schaefer Center events
  • Complimentary beverage card
  • Invitation to VIP reception
  • Underwriting privilege and recognition for one (1) performance
  • Visual recognition in Schaefer Center
  • Concierge ticketing service
  • Two (2) tickets to up to five (5) performances
  • Invitation to artist Meet-and-Greet (pending artist availability)
  • Parking privileges in Schaefer Center lot for all performances, excluding film nights

Thank you to our generous 2026 supporters!

An Appalachian Summer Festival deeply appreciates the support of its contributors. This list reflects contributions and pledges made solely to the App Summer Annual Campaign from Oct. 1, 2025-May 8, 2026. Please note that this list does not include gifts to other areas within Appalachian State University.

Premier
$100,000+

  • Christine Petti

  • Bonnie & Jamie Schaefer

  • Neil & Nancy Schaffel

Executive Producer
$25,000 – $99,999

  • Lainey & Steve Brooks

  • Catsman Foundation

  • Debbie Rosen Davidson & David Rosen

  • Charles & Nancy Rosenblatt Foundation

Producer
$15,000 – $24,999

  • App State Campus Store

  • Broyhill Family Foundation, Inc.

  • Circle S Foundation / Keith & Letty Stoneman

  • Barbara F. Freiman (in memory of Larry Freiman)

  • Ralph S. Grier

  • Steven & Jocelyn Lacey

  • Anne C. and Myron B. Liptzin

  • Mast General Store / John, Faye, & Lisa Cooper

Director
$10,000 – $14,999

  • Appalachian Home Care / Ellen Harrell

  • Art Cellar Gallery / The McKay Family

  • Peter & Susan Brockway

  • Dianne Davant Interiors

  • Explore Boone

  • Goodnight Brothers

  • Highstreet Insurance Partners / Chuck & Anna Eyler

  • John Howell

  • Marla Schaefer & Steven Weishoff

  • SkyBest Communications, Inc.

Artist
$6,000 – 9, 999

  • Joan Benbasat

  • Courtyard by Marriott

  • Creekside Electronics / Lane & Joan Robinson

  • Lynn & Barry Eisenberg

  • Graystone Lodge, An Ascend Collection Hotel

  • Hampton Inn & Suites

  • Holiday Inn Express

  • Peter & Joni Webb Petschauer (in memory of Nancy Tafeen)

  • Peabody’s Wine & Beer Merchants / Jeff Collins

Ambassador
$3,000 – $5,999

  • Banner Elk Tourism Development Authority

  • Carol Berns & Ted Silver

  • Carol & Morty Blumberg

  • Kathryne & Howard Brafman

  • Wendy & Mike Brenner

  • Natalie & Penn Broyhill

  • Sue & Steve Chase

  • Barbara Watkins Daye

  • Adrienne Finkel

  • Suzanne Lasky Gerard & Bill Liebman

  • Grandview Catering & Events

  • Richard & Vicki Hammer

  • Sandy & Marc Kadyk

  • Barbara & Mark Moskowitz

  • The Rev. Dr. Oxford & Mrs. Courtney

  • Premier Sotheby’s International Realty

  • The Rosemyr Corporation

  • Bill Sears & Family

  • Christine & G. Mark Shalloway

  • R. Y. & Eileen L. Sharpe Foundation

  • Jeff & Caroline Sikorske

  • Sandi Finci Solomon

  • Barbara & Fred Webb

  • Ann & David Kamons

  • Phyllis & Edward Zissman

Benefactor
$1,200 – $2,999

  • Brenda & Ira Abrams

  • Rebecca & Mike Alford

  • Nancy & Carlo Bonomo

  • Kay Borkowski (in memory of Frank Borkowski)

  • Susan & Harvey Durham (in honor of Minnie & Bob Snead, and in memory of Muriel & Arnold Rosen)

  • Ron & Dana Garrow

  • Susie Greene

  • The Bruce J. Heim Foundation

  • Rusty & Sara Isenhour

  • Jeff Paul Lindsay

  • Joe Logan

  • Jenny & Wayne Miller

  • Bill Pelto & Linda Larson

  • Julie & Gary Simon

  • Alex Sink

  • Dolph & Liz Sumner

  • Scott & Terri Tart

  • Tracy & Wright Tilley

Patron
$600 – $1,199

  • Jonathan & Marisue Beloff

  • Kathryn & Stephen Birgel Birtwistle

  • Mary & Nick Friedman

  • Molle Grad (in honor of Denise Ringler)

  • Marilyn Green

  • Larry & Nanci Tolbert Nance

  • Sally Robinson

  • Gloria & Rick Singer

  • Dottie & Charlie Sykes

  • Sam Tallman & Mike Zuravel

  • Mary Underwood & Ben Henderson

  • Claudia Van Essen

  • Debra & George Warren

Contributor
$300 – $599

  • Elizabeth Auer & John James

  • Bettie Bond (in memory of John Bond)

  • Hanes & Lida Boren

  • Jacqueline & Robert Brauser (in honor of Bonnie & Jamie Schaefer)

  • Craig & Rose Bridgeman

  • Lorraine Childers

  • Nancy Clark & Howard Miller

  • Jeannine Underdown Collins

  • Gigi & William Egge

  • Dan Gaugert & Terry Harper (in honor of Anna Gaugert)

  • Dr. Lou Gottlieb & Gloria Lipson

  • Kristina Groover & Marian Peters (in memory of Dr. Rosemary Horowitz)

  • Jo Ann Hallmark

  • Doris & Mac Leitner

  • Richard & Pat Lord

  • Tim & Nancy Lorenzen (in memory of Keith & Leota Cloyed)

  • Sally Gray Lovejoy

  • Bob & Jill Maland

  • Susan Pettyjohn (in memory of Bruce Pettyjohn & Ken Peacock)

  • Denise Ringler

  • Edward & Barbara Rosasco

  • Traci D. Royster

  • Dr. Morris & Margery Segall

  • Rebecca Shankland

  • Sharon & Walter Smoski

  • Eleni & Steven Sonenreich

  • Shari Steinberg

  • Norma S. Suddreth

  • Charles & Leighann Swanson

  • John & Patti Turner

  • Mr. & Mrs. Robert White

Friend
$1 – $299

  • Ellis & Barbara P. Aycock

  • Michael & Joan Bell

  • Jeanne Cardinal & Robert Henne

  • Christy & Brad Chenausky

  • Everette & Jane Clark (in honor of Tucker Clark)

  • Dyan & George Cutter

  • Hank Foreman & John Baynor

  • Melinda Friddell & Shawn Vestey

  • Anna Gaugert & Thomas Martin

  • Sali Gill-Johnson & John Johnson

  • Steve J. Hageman & Elizabeth Miller

  • Jeff Handler

  • Annie & Tyler Jones

  • Jane Lonon

  • Gregg & Bonnie Marland

  • Tamara Michael

  • Nancy Morehouse

  • Doug & Susan Morton

  • Joyce Newman & Dr. Richard Newman

  • George & Kathleen O’Brien

  • Elizabeth W. Plaster

  • Laura Pritchett

  • Tish Rokoske (in memory of Tom & Keith Rokoske)

  • Mary Rupp (in memory of Richard “Dick” Rupp)

  • Patrick K. Setzer

  • Marilyn Seward

  • Jim & Sandy Sheatsley

  • Joanie & Robert Shirley

  • Thomas & Amy Shober

  • Helen Sirett & Ken Hendrix

  • Carol & Hank Thompson

  • Pam Walker

  • Allison West & Rick Suyao

  • Victoria Whitworth

  • Tanya Shook Wilder

    Presented by Appalachian State University’s Office of Arts Engagement and Cultural Resources, 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 program has risen in stature to become one of the nation’s most highly respected summer series, acclaimed for the breadth and quality of its artistic programming.

    In recent years, the program 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 programs.