More than 400 singers and instrumentalists filled the Ardis T. Williams, Sr. Auditorium with music Tuesday night during the Vicksburg Warren School District Honor Choir concert.

The annual event was held in observance of Music In Our School’s Month VWSD Fine Arts Curriculum Coach Nancy Robertson said, which has been observed in March for 40 years across the nation.

“The purpose of MIOSM is to raise awareness of the importance of music education for all children — and to remind citizens that school is where all children should have access to music. MIOSM is an opportunity for music teachers to bring their music programs to the attention of the school and the community, and to display the value that school music brings to students of all ages,” Robertson said.

Former Bowmar Elementary School Teacher and banjo player for the concert Joanne Ryan concurred with Robertson.

“Music should be recognized as a wonderful way to get kids involved in learning — all kinds of learning,” Ryan said. And it is also a way to get them coming to school. “There are kids who would not show up for school if it weren’t’ for the arts, therefore it should never be cut.”

In addition to the educational value of the arts, Ryan said, music also teaches “universal concepts,” linking tempo changes in music to life changes everyone experiences and the correlation between the lyrics of a song and its meaning.

“What are you trying to say with this song — who are you trying to reach — another universal concept,” Ryan said.

Vicksburg Junior High School honor choir, 7th grade student Latael Truitt may not be old enough to make the connection between music and its intrinsic elements yet, but she is aware of how fun it’s been to be part of the District Honor Choir.

“I love hearing people sing because it gives me goose bumps and everyone sounds great here,” Truitt said. Also being part of the group, she said, offers an opportunity to reach her goals.

“I love to sing. I want to be an actor when I grow up and singing is my passion,” she said.

Tuesday’s musical selections represented several musical genres, but with an underlying theme of celebration in recognition of the Vicksburg’s bicentennial this year,” Robertson said, representing “200 years on the River,” with songs that included “Take Me to the Water” and “Let the River Run,” both of which were performed by the District’s combined choirs, instrumentalist and the Vicksburg Chamber Choir.

This year’s performance was also dedicated to the late Dorothy Brasfield in honor of her many years of service to the VWSD.