The Lehighton Area School District Music Department will be presenting a MIOSM District-Wide Concert on Tuesday, March 8, at the Lehighton Area Middle School Auditorium beginning at 7 p.m.

March has been officially designated by MENC: The National Association for Music Education for the observance of Music In Our Schools Month (MIOSM), the time of year when music education becomes the focus of schools across the nation.David Perkins, choir director, said MIOSM began as a single statewide celebration in 1973, and has grown over the decades to encompass a day, then a week, and then in 1985 to become a month long celebration of school music.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 benefits school music brings to students of all ages.The Lehighton program will feature students in the elementary, middle, and high schools.Some of the ensembles performing that evening are the Treble Chorale and the Choraliers from the middle school.The Treble Chorale is made up of students from the fifth and sixth grade chorus and directed by Mr. Thomas Weidner.This treble ensemble will sing a selection from "The Sound of Music" and a traditional piece.The Choraliers is a mixed ensemble comprised of seventh and eighth grade students under the direction of Mrs. Laura Welkey. This three-part mixed choir will sing a song cycle during their portion of the program.Lehighton H.S. Concert Choir is a mixed choir that will perform a variety of literature including a multi-cultural and gospel selection.This choir is directed by Perkins and accompanied by Rebecca Hoffner, Elyse Kistler, and Schyler Cordova.The high school jazz band, directed by Mr. Bryan Buffington, and middle school jazz ensemble, directed by Thomas Weidner, will also be featured during this program.There will also be representation from the elementary level directed by Stephanie Kulpa and Susan Stufflet.Tickets will be available at the door and discounts are available for student admission. All proceeds will benefit MIOSM fund and further music education in the Lehighton community.