ELLOREE — A joyful concert of spiritual music heralded Music in Our Schools Month at Elloree Elementary School on March 10.

The month-long celebration has been officially designated by the National Association for Music Education, with the theme, “Music: the Heart in Education.” Schools across the national focus on music education, and the public can observe the processes and results in classrooms, concert halls, clubs, parks and libraries.

The events surrounding Music in Our Schools Month are ideal opportunities for increasing awareness of the benefits of quality music education programs in the nation’s schools involving students, administrators, parents, civic groups and community members.

The Elloree Elementary program, under the leadership of Beverly Parler-Rice, was titled “Come Sunday.”

Hope Haynes and Dr. Peter Felder II introduced the spirituals, which included: “Amazing Grace,” “Hush, Hush,” “Gonna Ride Up in the Chariot,” “Wade in the Water,” “All Night, All Day,” “Dry Bones” and “Blow Gabriel.”

Fifth-grader Damian Williams was a soloist for two selections. Other soloists were Chanel Johnson and Nicelle Cole.

“These rhythms were driven into man’s soul,” Felder said.

Tonya Ceasar sang “I Want Jesus to Walk With Me,” and special guest performer Willie Lee Sheard was introduced by his grandson.

As each song was performed, a lady in a church hat came forward and sat on the stage.

“This program made us happy all over,” Principal Janie Dease said.

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