The year was 1976. I was in Mrs. Fosters fifth grade class at North Elkin Middle School. As a new arrival to North Elkin, I learned of the annual talent show. Time to let this place know that I’ve arrived. There was only one thing to do — gift the adoring crowd with my rendition of “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” by Jim Croce. I knew the words by heart. I sang along with the radio every time it played. Mrs. Foster said there was a little girl in the seventh grade that could play the piano, and might be persuaded to accompany me. (Really, what self-respecting pianist would pass up on such an opportunity?) That’s how I met Tonya. And man, could she play. But more than that, this was the most beautiful girl my eleven-year-old eyes had ever seen. As talented as this girl was, I honestly doubt I heard a note she played. I was, in a word, smitten. Almost 50 years later, I still am.
But this isn’t about our epic romance. This story is to point out that almost fifty years ago, a little girl with wire rimmed glasses was making music in the Elkin Schools. Most of you know this young lady as Mrs. Tonya Smith, Choral Director at Elkin High and Elkin Middle School.
Tonya made music throughout her student career at Elkin. Chorus, marching band, piano for any occasion, and more. She was “Rizzo” in her senior play, “Grease”. I can still close my eyes and see her in her costume and hear her singing “There are worse things I Could Do”.
The grand piano that was recently replaced in Dixon Auditorium was the first grand she ever played. I doubt that when she was a freshman at Elkin she could know that she would play that piano over forty years later.
As often happens, college took her away. Away from Elkin, and for a time, away from me. But the music continued. Appalachian State, Elon College, and a little later, Catawba College all contributed to her skills. She earned a degree in piano performance, and later a teaching certificate. She accompanied the famed Burlington Boys Choir, and in a stroke of what I will always consider divine intervention, her path eventually led her home. Home to Elkin, and also home to me.
She took a job as kind of a permanent substitute to fill out the year for the music teacher. Of course, that job became permanent, and Elkin City Schools had their musician back. Elementary school first, then, after a stint as the music director for our local Presbyterian church, she started teaching chorus.
For about five or six years, along with chorus, she directed the band. All in the same band room she played French horn in when she was the student. Between band and chorus, Tonya logged a lot of late hours. Friday night ballgames, National Anthems, band and chorus competitions and the occasional band/chorus trip to New York. It was demanding, and it took my wife away when I’d have much preferred she was home. Somehow, however, I knew that she was where she was supposed to be, doing what she was meant to do.
And so for the last few decades, Tonya has made her music, and led others to make theirs as well. Generations of Elkin students have learned to find their voice and have more music in their lives. She has sung, she has directed, she has accompanied, sometimes even scared little redheaded boys in talent shows. She has directed The Elkin Community Chorus, directs the Elkin Presbyterian Church Choir and more. For the last few years, she’s even performed to sellout crowds at The Reeves.
This week, my amazing wife of 35 years has announced its time to retire from Elkin City Schools. She leaves a legacy that I think will not soon be forgotten. On that stage at North Elkin almost 50 years ago, a little seventh grade girl learned a Jim Croce song for a fifth grader she didn’t know, and played it flawlessly. I forgot the words and went down in flames. From that point forward, with minimal interruption, music in Elkin City Schools WAS Tonya Smith.
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