The Troy Music Study Club will join other members of the National Federation of Music Clubs in celebrating National Music Week May 5-12.

Troy Mayor Jason A. Reeves has signed a proclamation declaring May 5-12 National Music Week in Troy. The theme for National Music Week 2013 is Music: The Colors of Life.

“Music plays in increasingly important role in our world today,” Reeves said. “Music is one of the most inspiring of human pursuits and is subscribed to by all races and creeds. Music is the language of all people and one of the greatest forces in creating peace and harmony.”

Reeves said the National Federation of Music Clubs is dedicated to encouraging young musicians, increasing musical knowledge, advancing American music and directing attention to the dynamic influence of music in daily life.

Troy Music Study Club officers Lyndia Dew, club president-elect; Dovie Cutchen, outgoing president; and Bobbi Swisher, chair of National Music Week; were present for the signing of the proclamation and shared the history of their club with the mayor.

Swisher said the Troy Music Study Club was organized in 1905, making it one of the oldest Music Study Clubs in Alabama. The club became a member of the National Federation of Music Clubs in 1907.

The club borrowed the words of Joseph Haydn for its motto: “Work for great things, expect great things and great things will come to pass.”

“We believe that great things come to pass through music,” Swisher said.

The Troy Music Study Club works toward those great things by providing programs of interest to club members and hosting public music events.

The club’s Annual Founders Day Concert features a variety of music concerts and highlights local talent. This year Founders Day Concert was a Hymn Festival that included the singing of many of the old, familiar hymns.

The Troy Music Study Club awards music scholarships annually to high school seniors who display outstanding musical ability. The scholarship winners are selected through an audition process. The club awarded two scholarships this year to Jared Maddox and Jonathan Carswell.

Reeves told the music study club officers that many of his childhood memories are related to music.

The mayor said that he has vivid memories of hearing the story of “The Nutcracker” for the first time as a second-grader at Cherry Street Elementary School in Troy.

“Mr. Jerry Spann was our music teacher and he told us the story of ‘The Nutcracker’ and did a Russian dance for us,” Reeves said. “I’ll never forget how impressed I was.”

Reeves told of memories of singing in the children’s choir at church and later singing in the youth choir.

“Music is an important part of our lives and I appreciate all that the Troy Music Study Club does to promote music in our community,” he said.

Troy Music Study Club members are Jean Barr, Ellis and Juanita Bush, Betty Chancellor, Donald and Lyra Crapps, Dovie Cutchen, William and Jane Denison, John and Lyndia Dew, Jesse and Joyce Dix, Amanda Ford, Virginia Hamm, John Jinright, June Kendrick, Jim and Angie Roling, Jerry and Betty Spann, Bobbie Swisher, Millie Walter and Janelle Williams.

Membership in the Troy Music Study Club is open and anyone interested in becoming a member is encouraged to contact one of the members.