03/31/2026
March is widely celebrated as Music In Our Schools Month (MIOSM) highlighting music education, including school choir programs.
On this last day of March we’re spotlighting Ann Hunt Jones Smith as a vocal music teacher and choral director for more than two decades.
In Ann’s words….
One of my fondest dreams became true in September 1967 when I became the vocal music teacher at my high school alma mater, John W. Ligon, in Raleigh, NC.
During the 50’s when I was a student at Ligon, it was considered an honor to be part of a chorus or special ensemble. When I returned as a teacher that was no longer the case. I faced a challenge to recruit students to the choral program. So I designed a class to expose the students to the rich cultural heritage of traditional African American vocal music. The class was scheduled early in the morning before school started. The mission to revive an interest in the choral program at Ligon High School was accomplished!!
One hundred voices performed Peter Wilhousky’s arrangement of the “Battle Hymns of the Republic“ in our first public concert on the stage of Raleigh’s Memorial Auditorium. Later auditions were held for a special ensemble. Forty-five talented students were selected - the number that could fit on a chartered bus with two chaperones. Between 1968 and 1971, the Ligon Jubilee Singers performed concerts in Virginia, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts and major cities in North Carolina captivating audiences with selections ranging from plantation “work songs” and “signal songs” to concert arrangements of the Spiritual.
In 1972 due to integration, the choral group dissolved as the students were moved to other high schools in the city.
The school became a junior high school and a new choral group, the Ligon Choraliers emerged. This multicultural group warmed hearts in Wake County with its repertoire of patriotic and folk songs. There were 150 students enrolled in chorus. A select group of seventy formed a mixed chorus to perform at Crabtree Valley Mall, State capitol and other special performances.
In addition to working full time at Ligon, working part-time as a choral director and pianist at the North Carolina Correctional Center for Women was rewarding. Under Ann’s leadership the women developed their voices and performed for local and state officials and large churches.
Singers in the choral groups fall into two categories: the large number who like music and have some skill in it. Then there are the few who have so much interest and power in music that they wish to devote considerable time to it.
All are welcome to sing!!! But for choral performances there were informal auditions that evaluated singers on …
Voice - Tone quality, Intonation, Clear articulations, proper breath control, voice projection. ***Blend your voice…Never let your voice stand out in a choral group. Even if your voice is powerful, no voice should be singled out in a well-blended chorus!
Stage Presence - Physically poised and at ease, Appropriate facial expression, Applied proper choreography. **A singer is an actor too…Let your face and voice convey the song’s meaning to the audience.
Knowledge of Selection - Ability to hold individual voice part, Daily participation and attitude toward a refined performance. **Understand the music you are singing. Choral singing requires full mental and physical coordination.
Choral groups are important…choral performances require discipline, boosts self esteem & creativity and develops talent. And choral groups entertain!!!
Ann, job well done👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽!
Share Ann’s story and tell your own. Were you in a school or church choral group? What’s your story?
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