With February being Black History Month, the students at W.O. Parmer are finding new and creative ways to learn about those who have affected our society and touched everyone's lives. This year, the students will honor composers, musicians and other musical performers who, through their music, have bridged the gap between the races.

On February 24 at 6 p.m., several classes from the Greenville Elementary School will perform for the general public many of the songs that have had an everlasting influence on the music that followed.

Carol Teague, assistant principal at the school and a coordinator for this event, said the music will consist of a wide range of genres.

"We are going to start with some of the early African folk songs and progress through the ages to the present. We will highlight the importance of the blues and jazz and the impact of Motown records on the music industry," Teague said.

Students from kindergarten through the fourth grades will participate in the program called "Music Tells a Story." The musical tribute will be performed on a stage built to resemble that of the famous Apollo Theater where many African-American performers were launched into stardom.

Classes participating in the program include: from kindergarten, Linda Hudson's , Gloria Warren's and West Marcus'; first grade classes, Tracy Hendrick's and Quana Scott's; second grade, Leslie Pritchett's and Veronica Saffold's; third grade classes, Michelle Barrow's, Lenicki Smith's, Brooke Lawrence's and Jackie Thornton's; fourth grades classes, Doris Peagler's, Nikki Payton's and Sherry Turner's.

Along with helping his class through the music, Marcus also will be putting the Apollo stage together. Betty McQueen will be the program's music director.

Also taking part in the program will be Jennifer Mahand, an Americorp member, who will sing and play the piano. Retired teacher and Greenville City Councilman Jeddo Bell will perform a traditional gospel number.

The classes have been practicing individually and later this week they will begin practicing together on the stage.

Teague said that she felt it was important for all students to understand the people who have affected our culture and that music is one of the things that everyone can understand and appreciate.

The program will be free of charge and the public is invited to attend.

"We hope to have widespread community support for the program. The students are going to work hard getting ready for the performance and it would be exciting for them to have a nice audience. We believe this is going to be a musical celebration that will make people feel good for the rest of the week," she said.