The Troy University Concert Band under the direction of Raymond Smith and Dr. Larry Blocker will present its annual spring concert at 6 p.m. Tuesday on the square in downtown Troy. The concert is the kickoff event for the 10th Annual TroyFest on April 28 and 29 in downtown Troy.

The concert is free and everyone is invited to enjoy an evening of light concert music and fun.

“The band will perform light classics by composers Verdi, Schubert, and Jager,” Smith said. “James Smith, professor of trombone, will perform the Author Pryor’s great solo, ‘Thoughts of Love.’ The concert will conclude with swing standards in a medley titled “Big Band Signatures” and Dr. Blocher will conduct the combined concert bands in the grand finale called ‘Today is the Gift.’”

“TroyFest has become a premier event with people from all over the area coming to downtown Troy to enjoy arts, crafts, music, food and fun,” Smith said. “The concert is co-sponsored by the City of Troy and the John M. Long School of Music and we are excited that the concert has been chosen to mark the beginning of TroyFest activities.”

Several downtown eateries are open late and Catherine Jordan with the Troy Tourism Office, said everyone is invited to grab a sandwich at their favorite eatery or pack a picnic and enjoy great band music in a beautiful outdoor setting.

“The Troy University Spring Band Concert is a family event and also time to share with friends and neighbors,” Jordan said. “Some people bring along lawn chairs and others like to spread a picnic on a blanket. And, there’s room for the children to play and, if you feel the urge to get up and dance, there’s room for that, too.”

Jordan said that there’s no better way to spend a warm spring evening than to step back in time and enjoy an old-fashioned band concert in the park.

“So come out and enjoy an evening of great band music and help us get this year’s TroyFest off to a great start,” she said.