The Troy Music Study club, founded in 1905, is one of the oldest music clubs in the United States and the second oldest in Alabama. There were fifteen charter members with Mrs. J.P. (Mary Murphree) Selman as first president. The club was federated in 1907 with the National Federation of Music Clubs.

Mrs. Key (Amy) Murphree, one of the charter members, served as president of the Alabama Federation of Music Clubs from 1920-21. Mrs. Reid (Eddie Lee) Lancaster, past president of Troy Music Study Club and a Life Member of the National Federation served as state president from 1932-1934.

Each club year the Troy Club honors its founders by presenting a concert to which the public is invited. Sunday afternoon, March 6, 2016, Troy Music Study Club presented an Organ Concert in the Sanctuary of First Baptist Church featuring Community Organists.

Mrs. Lyra Crapps, president of Troy Music Study Club welcomed the members and guests and led the Federation Collect. Mrs. Amanda Ford, vice president, led the singing of the Federation Hymn with Mrs. Crapps accompanying at the organ. Mrs. John (Barbara) Lee, President of the Alabama Federation from Monroeville, was a special guest. She gave greetings from the state organization and presented information about National and State Organizations.

Mrs. Ford introduced the organists, Lyra Crapps, former organist at First United Methodist Church in Troy and Jean Eakes, organist at First Baptist Church. The program selections were:

Played by Lyra Crapps:

Praise Him in Sanctuary- Eric Lewis (1973-)

Andante from Third Organ Sonata- Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)

O Sacred Head, Now Wounded- Hans Leo Hassler (1564-1612)/ Burkhardt

Hosanna, Loud Hosanna- Ellacombe.ca (1784-)

Played by Jean Eakes:

Fanfare- Nicholas Jacques Lemmens (1823-1881)

A Mighty Fortress Is our God- Martin Luther (1483-1546)

His Eye is on the Sparrow- Charles H. Gabriel (1856-1932)

Toccata on St. Theodulph- Melchior Teschner (1584-1635)

Following the program, a reception was held in the church parlor.

The purpose of the Troy Music Study Club is to support and promote the spiritualizing force of music in the community. In addition to sponsoring an annual Founders Day Concert, the club gives one or more scholarships to graduating seniors from high schools in Pike County. The scholarship is called the Mary Murphree Selman Scholarship in memory of Troy Music Study Club’s first president who was the organist at Troy First Baptist Church for fifty years.

The regular March meeting will be a Chamber Music Program held in the Johnson Center for the Arts Monday night, March 28.