HAYS, Kan. -- Composer, pedagogue and master fiddler Marc O'Connor will bring a part of Appalachia to Hays when he performs at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2, in the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center in the Encore show "Marc O'Connor and Friends: An Appalachian Christmas."

O'Connor will play songs from his new album "Appalachian Christmas," which celebrates his childhood Christmases -- full of traditional carols, jazz, fiddling and quintessential American music. He will also perform pieces with Appalachian subjects such as the passing of a fiddle from one generation to another and a beloved hunting dog.

"Appalachian Christmas" is part of a trilogy that includes "Appalachia Waltz," his most well-known piece, and "Appalachian Journey," which won him a Grammy. He recorded both albums with Yo-Yo Ma.

O'Connor has worked with a wide variety of artists such as James Taylor, Renee Fleming, Dolly Parton, the Judds, Randy Travis, Paul Simon and many more. He has won two Grammys and created the O'Connor Method for violin and strings.

Ticket prices are:
General public -- reserved $30, unreserved $26
Seniors and Children 5-17 -- reserved $28, unreserved $24
FHSU students -- reserved $21, unreserved $17

To order tickets, visit www.fhsu.edu/encore/.