The March meeting of the Troy Music Study Club was held in the home of Bobbie Swisher on Monday March 25 with Ginny Hamm as co-hostess.

Prior to the meeting, the members of the Music Club introduced themselves to March guest, Dr. Bret Woods from Troy University. He, in turn, introduced himself and delighted the club members as he could call the names of each member.

President Dovie Cutchen welcomed the members and guest and led the Federation Collect. The Federation Hymn and the “Together We Sing” song were directed by Bill Denison and accompanied by Lyra Crapps. Denison gave the background of the March song, WAIT FOR THE WAGON, composed by R. Bishop Burkley. Music in Poetry chairperson, June Kendrick read the poem “Digging” written by the Irish poet, Seamus Heaney who won the 1995 Nobel Prize in poetry.

In the business session, reports were made by committee chairmen. Members were urged to participate in the Members’ Recital in May. They are to inform program coordinator Janell Williams the selection of music each will present. Jerry Spann reported that the Scholarship application forms have been distributed to all the high schools for Senior music students to apply for the Mary Murphree Selman Scholarship. The applicants will have to audition and play at the April Music Club meeting.

Announcements of upcoming musical programs were made. Club members were also reminded of the Alabama Federation of Music Clubs Convention in Gadsden, April 19-20.

John Dew, program coordinator, introduced Dr. Bret Woods from Troy University who presented the program on Celtic Music. Dr. Woods is Assistant Professor of Ethnomusicology, Musicology/Music History Coordinator at the University. Woods, from Utica, New York, received his Ph.D. in 2011 at Florida State University College of Music. For the club program he discussed Irish/Scottish Music, stating it was sometimes categorized as folk music. In early times, there were house sessions where the young and old would gather to play, sing and dance to traditional Irish tunes and would also share food. In more modern times, this is done in the Pubs. Since 1971, Jazz has had a great influence on the Irish music. The Irish “Step Dance” has influenced the “River Dancing” group. The violin or fiddle was usually the instrument used. Dr. Woods showed the difference in reading music with notes and using ABCs . He stated that, today, in Tallahassee, Florida, there are sessions where groups get together to share tunes by note. In closing, Dr. Woods played several Irish tunes on a Hohner Double-Ray C#/D diatonic button accordion, followed by Questions and Answers.

The hostesses served delicious refreshments and a social time was enjoyed by members and the guest.

The Troy Music Study Club, organized in 1905 is affiliated with the National Federation of Music Clubs and the Alabama Federation of Music Clubs.