In honor of longtime music educator and former Troy University faculty member, the Laura Aaron Mixon Memorial Choral Scholarship has been established to help support budding choral music educators.

Mixon earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education from TROY and eventually went on to become a member of the faculty. Her career as an educator spanned 16 years, including choir director at Baldwin County High School, Daphne High School and Gulf Shores Middle and High schools. 

She also served as a music leader for Elba United Methodist Church, South Laverne Baptist Church, Troy First United Methodist Church, Foley Presbyterian Church and Gulf Shores Methodist Church.

“She was one of those multi-talented individuals,” said Dr. Diane Orlofsky, Professor Emerita of music and music education and Coordinator of the music education graduate program. “She had a beautiful voice, was an extremely gifted pianist and a wonderful choir director. She directed the Collegiate Singers during her tenure at TROY, growing the program to over 60 people.”

Orlofsky worked closely with Mixon as part of her graduate work to help her develop a middle school choir practicum. Within two years, the choir program she began from scratch had over 40 children participating.

“She really felt that music and music education are so important with kids,” she said. “She had such a heart for music education and did for her entire life.”

At her memorial service, the sisters of Sigma Alpha Iota, an international music fraternity, broached the idea of a memorial scholarship in her name. In just over a month, enough funds had been raised for the beginnings of a current scholarship.

The scholarship is open to students on the Troy Campus pursuing a degree in choral music education. To qualify, students must be a junior or a senior, maintain a 3.0 GPA and provide evidence of their commitment to advancing choral music education and spreading “light and love” through the choral arts.

Recipients are selected by the choral faculty, designated administrative faculty and the Troy University Scholarship Committee. Recipients are required to write a thank you letter to the donor and attend the scholarship donor and recipient reception held each March.

“She believed in the power of music and the power of kids making music together. This scholarship is going to be given to students who are working toward becoming a choir director and music educator,” Orlofsky said. “I think that would have been the ultimate honor for her. I wish these students could have met her. She was like a part of our family here—everyone that worked with her not just admired and respected her, but truly loved her because she was so selfless.”

To apply for the Laura Aaron Mixon Memorial Choral Scholarship, visit here.

To donate to the scholarship, visit here.