From the opening song, “Ani Ma’amin,” which is based on a Jewish prayer, to the closing “Glee”-inspired version of “Don’t Stop Believing,” the Arts WOW! program for the Surry County Schools showcased some of the top talent in the county.

The Friday night performance filled the ballroom at Cross Creek Country Club with more than 400 people who admired entries into the school’s art competition and enjoyed dessert before settling in for the program.

A number of musicians set the tone for the night before the program even started by providing background music as people wandered through the exhibits of photography, digital media and two-dimensional and three-dimensional art completed by students. Bands and smaller ensembles from the county’s middle and high schools performed pieces including well-known numbers such as the Pink Panther theme and “Simple Gifts.” Ryan Whittington, a senior at East Surry High School, also performed the piano sonata he composed as part of his senior graduation project.

“You know that educators love acronyms,” said Jeff Tunstall, the master of ceremonies for the evening, when he pointed out that Arts WOW! is an acronym for A Reason To Say WOW! “We are not just about the acronyms, we are about the arts.”

According to Tunstall, 100 percent of children in kindergarten through fifth grade receive instruction in visual arts and music. In sixth through eighth grade, 80 percent of students participate in band, chorus, the visual arts or drama. Even at the high school level, 60 percent of students are involved in the arts.

The audience heard performances from groups, including the N.C. Elementary Honors Chorus students and the N.C. Middle and High Schools Honors Chorus students. They also heard from individuals including Hannah Lewis, who sang and played the acoustic guitar; Erika Riska, who played the alto saxophone; and Anna Harris, who played the French horn.

Students from the Gentry Middle School drama club performed two scenes from Disney’s “Aladdin Jr.,” which they performed for the school and community in March. They also sang “Friend Like Me,” which was a hit with the audience.

In between the many performances, students were recognized with awards for excellence in vocal performance, dramatic performance, visual arts and instrumental performance. They received an Arts WOW! poster and a medallion designed by Erin Griffith, a seventh grader at Pilot Mountain Middle School.

“How wonderful it is to see all of you here. It shows you love your children and also I think it says a lot about our school system,” said Dr. Ashley Hinson, superintendent, to the audience. “It really makes me proud any time we can do something to recognize children. I believe we ought to make this an annual event.

“I don’t know of any other things that brings out such an array of emotions as the arts. This is not just about the arts, it’s about curriculum.”

Students recognized during the evening included those who qualified for the N.C. Elementary Honors Chorus, the N.C. Middle School Honors Chorus, the N.C. Middle School All-State Chorus, the N.C. High School Honors Chorus, the N.C. High School All-State Chorus, the Mars Hill College Choral Clinic and the American Choral Directors Southern Division Men’s and Women’s Honor Chorus.

Emily Jones, Riley Fillius and Anthony Tate were recognized as Outstanding Middle School Drama students.

Instrumental students who qualified for Middle School All-County Band, High School All-County Band and the Northwest High School All-District Band also were recognized.

An art gallery was open April 16 to showcase student artwork to the public. The work was judged and awards were given out Friday night.

n Two-dimensional art: K-2

1st Place — Tanner Boone, Dobson Elementary

2nd Place — Roy Collins, Cedar Ridge Elementary

3rd Place — Lluvia Gonzalez, Franklin Elementary

Honorable Mention — Draken Cruise, Westfield Elementary

n Two-dimensional art: 3-5

1st Place — Hannah Massey, Franklin Elementary

2nd Place — Kaitlin Cave, Dobson Elementary

3rd Place — Migdalia Mena, Dobson Elementary

Honorable Mention — Kimberly Uriostegui, Dobson Elementary

n Two-dimensional art: 6-8

1st Place — Jordan Dehart, Meadowview Middle

2nd Place — Iczamar Rincon, Meadowview Middle

3rd Place — Raymond Salazar, Central Middle

Honorable Mention — Maria Escobedo, Central Middle

Honorable Mention — Becky Pell, Central Middle

Honorable Mention — Bethany Rodriguez, Meadowview Middle

n Two-dimensional art: 9-12

1st Place — Troy Jessup, East Surry High

2nd Place — Kayla Dehart, Surry Central High

3rd Place — Jenna Upchurch, North Surry High

Honorable Mention — Savanna Snow, Surry Central

n Three-dimensional art: K-2

1st Place — Mario Cortez, Copeland Elementary

2nd Place — Dan Snow, Copeland Elementary

3rd Place — Bradley Davis, Dobson Elementary

Honorable Mention — Brooke Quesinberry, Copeland Elementary

n Three-dimensional art: 3-5

1st Place — Jayne Willard, Shoals Elementary

2nd Place — Will Nichols, Shoals Elementary

3rd Place — Lexus King, White Plains Elementary

Honorable Mention — Nick Conzone, Franklin Elementary

Honorable Mention — Austin York, White Plains Elementary

n Three-dimensional art: 6-8

1st Place — Keith Weaver, Central Middle

2nd Place — Kevin Pack, Central Middle

3rd Place — Corbin Soots, Meadowview Middle

Honorable Mention — Lee’A Hiatt, Meadowview Middle

n Three-dimensional art: 9-12

1st Place — Nora Cristobal, Surry Central High

1st Place — Ireli Sonato, Surry Central High

3rd Place — Savanna Snow, Surry Central High

Honorable Mention — Jessica Wyre, Surry Early College

n Digital Media/Photo Art, 3-5

1st Place — Seth Bolinger, Shoals Elementary

2nd Place — Macy Carter, Dobson Elementary

3rd Place — Bailey Singleton, White Plains Elementary

Honorable Mention — Sarah Wyble, Copeland Elementary

n Digital Media/Photo Art, 6-8

1st Place — Madison Utt, Meadowview Middle

2nd Place — Keegan Day, Meadowview Middle

2nd Place — Nickie Sawyers, Gentry Middle

Honorable Mention — Haley Dickerson, Gentry Middle

Honorable Mention — Corbin Willard, Meadowview Middle

n Digital Media/Photo Art, 9-12

1st Place — Daniel Leonides, Surry Central High

2nd Place — Lauren Henderson, Surry Early College

3rd Place — Marco Secundino, Surry Central High

Honorable Mention — Savanna Snow, Surry Central High

Contact Morgan Wall at mwall@mtairynews.com or 719-1929.