The North Hills School District will kick off "Music in Our Schools" month Wednesday, Feb. 20 with "From Sea to Shining Sea," a concert featuring American music performed by choral ensembles from various schools.

The concert, set for 7 p.m. in the North Hills Junior High School auditorium, will feature ensembles and performers from all schools and grades. Among the scheduled ensembles are the Children’s Choir, the Seventh-Grade Chorus, Eighth-Grade Chorus, Junior High Concert Choir, Women’s Choir, Symphonic Choir, North Hills Singers, Senior High Men, combined High School Choirs and a finale featuring all ensembles.

Students will perform American folk songs, spirituals, songs by American composers and patriotic tunes. Members of the audience will be encouraged to sing along to “You’re a Grand Old Flag,”  “Yankee Doodle” and other well-known songs while ensembles move on and off the stage.

Admission is free, and the public is encouraged to attend.

Other district music events planned through February and March include:

• Band-O-Rama—7 p.m., Feb. 27 in the North Hills Junior High auditorium.
• Senior High Choir Cabaret Night—7 p.m. March 1 in the North Hills Senior High cafeteria.
• Orchestra Night—7 p.m. March 5 in the North Hills Junior High auditorium.
• Spring Musical “The Pajama Game” —7:30 p.m. March 14-16 and 21-23 in the North Hills Senior High auditorium.
• Elementary Band Spring Concert —7 p.m. March 26 in the North Hills Junior High auditorium. 

The National Association for Music Education has designated March as the month for schools to celebrate and raise awareness and for teachers to display the benefits of music education for all children.

The observance began as a single statewide celebration in 1973 and expanded to a month-long event in 1985.

For more information about the North Hills instrumental music program, visit www.nhipa.org.

 For more information about the North Hills choral music program, visit www.northhillschoralmusic.org.