NICEVILLE, FLORIDA - Valparaiso resident Ruth Kirkpatrick smiled from the very back of Rocky Bayou Baptist Church, her swollen legs propped up in a wheelchair. Pushing discomfort aside on Tuesday, April 18, she was determined to see the Twin Cities Honor Choir perform. "It’s my grandbabies up there," Kirkpatrick said matter-of-factly. Grandmother to 11-year-old Mari Kirby, fifth-grader at Valparaiso Elementary, Kirkpatrick said she’s equally proud of Madisan Johnson, in fifth grade at Plew Elementary, for whom she’s been "practically a nanny." The girls were two of 100 elementary school vocalists to perform in the widely successful event, now in its tenth year.

"In fact, I know of no other place in the state that combines the talent from elementary school to college in one event," said Barry Blackburn, Plew Elementary vocal music teacher. The church, every pew packed, was filled with cheers.

The area’s best vocalists, from Plew, Edge, Bluewater, and Valparaiso Elementary, Lewis and Ruckel Middle School, Niceville High School, and the OWC Madrigal Singers, gave the crowd something to celebrate, for their performance is evidence of a dream realized.

Ten years ago, that dream began, said Blackburn, when Edge Elementary music teacher Ann Jolly invited the area’s elementary school music specialists to create a fifth-grade honor choir. The founders are Jolly, Blackburn, Ginny Jordan, formerly at Bluewater Elementary, now at Ruckel Middle School, and Kim Muro, then at Plew. They came together to write a grant, won from the Arts Council in ’96, and since ’98, donations have funded the concerts. After the auditions, 25 of each school’s best vocalists are chosen.

A cycle began, each school supporting the next.

"My initial idea was that the kids have more exposure to other teachers," said Jolly. Because students all learn differently, the more varied their instructional choices, the more opportunity they have to grow, she said. Jolly credits Jordan for raising the program’s potential by involving other school choirs.

Jolly’s initial dream has become so successful that when Okaloosa School Superintendent Don Gaetz attended for the first time last year, he was extremely impressed, and decided to donate funds to cover the next event’s expenses. Gaetz kept his word.

Rocky Bayou Baptist Church hosted the performance without charging for the use of its large facilities, and people poured in to hear their beautifully attired young people.

Open to the public and free of charge, the program opened with Bluewater Elementary choral instructor Kara Parker directing the national anthem. Then came the first piece, "This is America," complete with small flags waving.

Leading "Skye Boat Song," was a stoic sixth-grader sporting a kilt, who marched up the aisle playing bagpipes. He was John Graham, a Ruckel student. His father said Jolly, who also plays bagpipes, has been working with him.

Howard Hill, school board member for Okaloosa County district, said, "What makes the event spectacular each year is the children’s progression, the phenomenal quality of fifth-grade talent, and that teachers help them realize their potential." It’s very important for children to have something at which they excel, Hill added.

Hill has been here for every year, said Susan Leger, Niceville resident and confidential secretary at Plew. She knows, because she’s attended every performance for the past ten years, too. "I cry every single time," said Leger. Part of her joy involves memories of her son, Scott, then in fifth-grade honor choir, telling her, "‘I’ll be in Opus one day, Mom,’" after hearing NHS students perform. He lived up to his prediction, qualifying for Opus when he entered high school.

"That’s the power of harmony, the power of a voice," said Shirley Andrews, part-time choral instructor at Lewis Middle School. "My kids get to hear where they’re going. If they were borderline, wondering if they’d keep on in chorus, well, hearing the Niceville High Singers cinches it," said Andrews. "Michael Dye has the best choral program in Florida," she added.

Central zone Assistant Superintendent Robert McEachern said it’s "a perfect community activity that allows students and program leaders to showcase their talents and skills."

It was indeed a wide array of talent.

Barry Mullins, assistant band director at Niceville High School, pitched in to play the xylophone, bells and triangle for "The Rhythm of Life."

"Sure on this Shining Night" was absolutely haunting, powerfully delivered by the NHS choir. The OWC Madrigal Singers, directed by Allison Everitt, also wowed everyone.

"It’s a wonderful opportunity for all the school choruses," said Valparaiso resident Sigi Smith. "My son [Tobias, 14, Lewis Middle School] loves when all the students get together. It’s good to see the voice mature through its stages." Tobias is impressed with, and inspired by, the high schoolers’ ability to sight-read, Smith said.

Lewis Middle School student James Theisen said he’s pleased to perform in an event that draws people who’ve lived here all their lives as well as newcomers. "Despite our differences, as Americans, we can be unified," said Theisen. "It’s a reality expressed by this concert."

The evening culminated in all choirs singing, "I am a Small Part of the World."

"It’s a glorious sight," said Michelle Tredway, Valparaiso Elementary music teacher, and one of the honor choir directors, "all walks of life coming together."

Gloria and Truman McDonald, retired military and Niceville residents for nearly thirteen years, came to hear their granddaughter, Ashley Robinson, a fifth-grader at Plew, and other children Gloria knows from teaching Sunday school. "The clear voices blend so well. I thought it was beautiful," said [Gloria] McDonald.

"We need to keep the arts as part of our education," said Blackburn. "I’m so happy we’ve made it to 10 years."