The Longwood music department’s spring calendar of events once again provides a unique lineup of performances that will delight music lovers across the heart of Virginia.

Highlights of the music events on tap this spring include a special performance of the Longwood Wind Symphony in celebration of Black History Month and a concert by a Grammy-winning string quartet.

The Longwood Wind Symphony will be joined by local high-school musicians for a concert in celebration of Black History Month Feb. 27. One of the pieces to be performed is Of Our New Day Begun by Omar Thomas. The composer will visit the Longwood campus that day and then conduct the piece at the concert.

Based on the hymn “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” the piece was written to honor the victims of the terrorist attack at Mother Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina, in 2015. At the concert, the Wind Symphony will be joined by the bands from Prince Edward County High School and Fuqua School, both of which are directed by Longwood alumni.

“This will be a very dramatic and moving performance. I expect it will be a must-see event for students and music lovers in the area,” said Dr. Gordon Ring, Simpson Distinguished Professor of Music. “We are pleased Mr. Thomas, the composer, will be here to conduct this special piece.”

The other Chamber Music Series concert performance will be countertenor Darryl Taylor, who will perform at 4 p.m. March 24. Dr. Lisa Kinzer, chair of Longwood’s music department, said she expects both of the spring semester’s Chamber Music Series concerts to be well-received.

“We welcome the greater Farmville community to come enjoy all of these inspiring musical performances this semester at Longwood,” Kinzer said. “Our guest artists, faculty and student performers are offering a wide variety of styles in the upcoming months, so there’s something for all kinds of music lovers. Not only is there a lot to enjoy, but concert goers, particularly our students, can learn to appreciate music from diverse cultures.”

In April, the Camerata and Chamber singers will join with the Commonwealth Chorale for two special performances. The concerts will be directed by Dr. Pamela McDermott, director of choral activities, and will feature John Rutter’s Gloria, Mozart’s Regina Coeli, Vivaldi’s Gloria (first movement) and Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus as well as the original composition Alleluia by Ring. The performances, set for April 25 and April 28, are free and open to the public.