News & Notes - 1/25/24 Troy Times

Troy Community Chorus opens scholarship for 2024
The Troy Community Chorus is welcoming applications for its annual vocal music scholarship open to high school students in grades nine to 12 living or attending school in Troy.

The scholarship of $750 is designed to further the applicant’s musical education or training in vocal music. Applications for the scholarship, as well as information on previous recipients, can be found at the Troy Community Chorus website at www.troycommunitychorus.com.

Founded in 1978, the Troy Community Chorus is a non-audition choir consisting of 70-plus adult members from across metro Detroit who love to sing and want to develop their vocal skills and have fun in the process. Its annual Gala Concert fundraiser will take place Saturday, Feb. 3.

Applications must be submitted by Tuesday, Feb. 13. Applicants will be required to audition for the Troy Community Chorus board 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, at Athens High School, 4333 John R Road. The scholarship recipient will be invited to perform at the Troy Community Chorus’ Spring Concert on Friday, May 10, at Athens High School.

 

Troy library posts report for fiscal year 2022-23
The Troy Public Library released its statistics for fiscal year 2022- 23 to report how its circulation has fared in the past year.

The library reported that 963,672 items were circulated between July 2022 and June 2023. In that timeframe, 1,995 homebound deliveries were made.

At least 298,132 patrons visited the library during that time, and 19,528 people attended library programs. There were 60,194 cardholders at that time, with 6,276 new cards being issued; 336,791 total items were in the collection during that time.

Revenue for the library came from property taxes of $6,185,677, penal fines of $117,093, state grants and minigrants of $174,338, private contributions of $144,014, interest and rent of $137,008, and other unspecified income of $25,455.

Expenses included $3,052,299 in personnel and benefit costs, $1,232,085 in operational charges, $595,069 in collection costs, $321,116 in capital project costs, and $152,557 in supply costs.

 

Athens students collect coats for those in need
The students of Athens High School ran a coat drive throughout December to benefit the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office’s Coats for the Cold program.

Students and families donated more than 130 coats that the Sheriff’s Office will distribute to local families in need this winter.

“Knowing that we collected so many coats amazes me, and it makes me feel proud,” said the project leader, sophomore Diana D’Aloisio. “It makes me feel good knowing that we are helping others, because little things can impact others greatly.”

 

Troy High to host 31st gala concert to benefit music program
The Troy High School orchestra will host its 31st annual Gala Concert fundraiser at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, in the auditorium of Troy High School, located at 4777 Northfield Parkway in Troy.

Proceeds from the concert help fund the orchestra’s operating expenses throughout the year. Tickets cost $25 and can be purchased at troyhighorchestra.seatyourself.biz. Email troyhighorchestra@gmail.com to purchase seating for people with disabilities or for more information.

The evening presents the freshman, concert, philharmonic and symphony orchestras, along with the Troy High Country Fiddlers. This year’s performance will also feature two guest soloists — Mike Chen, a Detroit Symphony Orchestra violist, and Jeremy Crosmer, a DSO cellist and a composer.

Wendy Stuart, the orchestra director at Troy High School, said in an email that they are featuring DSO musicians who have “worked with and impassioned our students.” Roop Raj will emcee the event. Parent volunteers are contacting restaurants for an afterglow, and the students are working hard, she said.

 

MSGCU accepting scholarship applications
METRO DETROIT — Michigan Schools and Government Credit Union is accepting applications for its annual scholarship program now through Tuesday, Feb 27.

The credit union plans to award 47 scholarships this year with 33 $2,500 scholarships going to college, trade school and continuing education students and 14 $2,000 scholarships for first responder academy students.

“MSGCU was founded by teachers and we’re proud to honor our heritage by advancing educational journeys through our scholarship program,” MSGCU President and CEO Steve Brewer said in a statement from the credit union. “We’ve provided over $1.1 million in scholarships since the inception of our program 20 years ago, helping 575 recipients in the communities we serve further their educational dreams.”

Scholarship applications are accepted from nonmembers, but all winners must become members of MSGCU. More information can be found at msgcu.org/scholarships.