Troy University will play host to the sixth annual Southeastern United States Honor Choir Jan. 18-19 on the Troy Campus.
Nearly 200 high school vocalists from Alabama, Georgia and Florida will take part in the event, receiving direction from guest clinician/conductor Dr. Gary Packwood. Participants will present a closing concert at 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 19 in the Claudia Crosby Theater. The concert is free and open to the public.
Dr. Packwood is director of choral activities at Mississippi State University. His duties include conducting all choral ensembles and administering the choral activities area. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Packwood served as associate professor and associate director of choral activities and head of music education at the University of Montevallo from 2003-2011, where he taught graduate and undergraduate courses in choral music, music education and conducted the Chamber Singers and University Chorus.
Dr. Packwood earned the Bachelor of Music Education degree from Southeastern Louisiana University, the Master of Arts degree from Florida Atlantic University and Doctorate of Musical Arts (Choral Conducting & Literature) degree, with a minor in Music Education from Louisiana State University.
“Dr. Packwood is a dynamic and engaging conductor and I am so excited that students from Alabama, Georgia and Florida will be able to spend such concentrated time with him” said Diane Orlofsky, director of Troy University choirs and coordinator of the event. “He has programmed a diverse, multi-cultural and upbeat program that will have everyone smiling, and I guarantee they will leave better musicians and better human beings, just for having worked with him.”
During the event, vocal scholarships will also be awarded to some deserving high school students.
“This event has doubled in size, and we are genuinely excited about welcoming these singers to our campus,” Dr. Orlofsky said.