Most musical groups are here today and gone tomorrow. The lucky ones last a decade.

So, for a musical group to still be going strong at 517 years is unbelievable.

But The Vienna Boys Choir is not slowing down and the Troy Arts Council is excited to be able to present the group in concert Tuesday night at the Claudia Crosby Theater on the campus of Troy University.

The concert begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for students and will be available at the door.

John Jinright, TAC presenter chair, said this is a rare opportunity for the Pike County community to see and hear this outstanding and world famous boys’ choir.

“The Vienna Boys Choir is divided into four sub-groups or touring choirs,” Jinright said. “The choirs are of equal standing. The tours, appearances in Vienna and recording projects are shared among them.

“The choirs are named after famous Austrian composers associated with the choir’s history — Bruckner, Haydn, Mozart and Schubert. The choir coming to Troy is Haydnchoir. The choir still performs much of their music. The program they will perform here also includes three gospel songs.”

Jinright said each choir has a choirmaster and two tutors who travel with the boys.

The Vienna Boys Choir strives to create an environment in which boys can fully develop and realize their personal and musical potential. Choristers learn to express themselves on a professional level in many different styles of music, and they are provided with the tools to set them on the road to a professional career in music if that’s their desire.

The experiences a boy has while a member of the choir, in particular the concerts and the touring, stay with him for life. The choir aims to make these experiences as diverse as possible, Jinright said.

The aim of the program to teach the boys to become well-rounded, independent, generous and open human beings. The education is available to all talented boys, regardless of their backgrounds.

The choir consists of current and former choristers, choir staff, teachers and, in a broader sense, also the choristers’ parents, without whom the choir would not exist.

“Haydnchoir began its six-week tour of North America on Feb. 17,” Jinright said. “There will be 21 concerts in Alabama, California, New Mexico, Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania. The Haydnchoir will also have six performances in Ontario before returning to Vienna at the end of March.”

The Vienna Boys Choir is a private, not-for-profit organization. Former choristers form the General Assembly and elect the Board of Trustees. The Board oversees the day-to-day running of the choir.