Troy University’s Concert Chorale will present its spring performance, “Renewal,” on Sunday, April 10 at 3 p.m. at Park Memorial United Methodist Church in Troy, Ala.

The free concert will feature music by Brahms, Barber, Rheinberger, Vaughan Williams, Barnum, Forrest and Chilcott, among others.

“I actually began thinking about this program early last fall and was inspired by one of the lines from Dan Forrest’s ‘The Music of Living.’  The lyric is, ‘I want to feel the music of living; and not fear the sad songs but from them make new songs composed of both laughter and tears,’” said Dr. Diane Orlofsky, Director of Choirs. “This past year has been one of great loss for me personally, and yet I retain the belief that the hopefulness of spring, renewal and new life can propel us through the darkness.

“I programmed pieces which accentuate hope over despair and life over death with the power that only choral music can fully communicate. The fact that it is also my last concert on the podium with these incredible young singers makes it especially bittersweet.”

This year is Orlofsky’s 36th year of teaching at TROY. Although she will return in a part-time teaching capacity next fall, this spring marks the end of her tenure as Conductor of the Concert Chorale. 

“I am certainly proud of all we have accomplished together, but I am most gratified seeing the daily embodiment and fulfillment of their motto: ‘One Voice, One Heart,’” she said. “I wanted the final concert to reflect these values. I treasure collaborations with my colleagues—these shared experiences enrich all of us and illustrate the profound universality of artistic expression.”

Dr. Tim Phillips (clarinet) will be featured as a soloist on “Warm Summer Sun,” conducted by undergraduate Madelyn Huston, and Dr. John Jinright will serve as the collaborative pianist. Teaching professionals Carlton Copeland, Ben Huston and Jordan Sullivan will also conduct.

“These individuals represent so many of the music education graduates who have served in the Chorale and have gone on to touch the lives of others. This concert also happens to fall on Palm Sunday, so it is fitting that we celebrate musical themes of renewal and illumination,” Orlofsky said. “I invite the public to come along on this rich, life-affirming musical journey with the Concert Chorale.”

Masks are encouraged and will be available at the door.