MONTGOMERY – For Troy University’s Director of Band Ralph Ford, this month’s “Salute to Our Veterans and Armed Forces” concerts have a personal tone.

“I’ve always had strong family ties to the military and I feel like the concerts are the right thing to do, particularly now during a time of war,” Ford said. “It’s important that our fighting men and women know that we support them and respect the sacrifice they are making in defense of freedom, our country and our way of life.”

The Troy University Symphony Band concert opens the Davis Theater’s University Series at 7 p.m. on Nov. 14, said Kristen Koehler, the theater’s director. The University Series showcases the talents of various TROY student ensembles.

Two new aspects have been added to this year’s concert: the inclusion of the “Celebration Singers,” under the direction of Frank Nihart, and the world premier of a major score by a TROY student. This year’s performance will be the eighth such concert.

The Celebration Singers, the adult choir of Troy’s First Baptist Church, will perform the band’s Salute to the Armed Forces Medley, as well as arrangements of the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “God Bless America,” Ford said. Nihart and Anna Orlofsky will be featured soloists during “God Bless America.”

“The other really unique thing about this concert is a world premier of a score by senior music education major David Samuel of Pensacola, Fla. It’s the first time in the history of the Symphony Band that we’ve premiered a major work for concert band by a student here at the University,” Ford said.

Single tickets are now available for purchase. The ticket price is $10. In appreciation for the military stationed in Montgomery, a $5 discount will be given to all military personnel with valid identification. A $5 discount is also available for TROY students, faculty and staff with valid identification.

For more information regarding ticket availability, call the theatre at (334) 241-9567.  Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. – noon.  All productions for the University Series are presented in Troy University’s Davis Theatre, which is located in downtown Montgomery at 251 Montgomery Street, and have a 7 p.m. curtain time unless noted.

“It’s important to say ‘thank you’ to those who have served and it’s important that we lend our support to those who are defending freedom today,” Ford said of the concert. “It’s our small gift to those people are in position to have to make the ultimate sacrifice. It’s the least we can do.”

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