Johnny Cash did it.

Elvis Presley did too.

And, Thursday night, more than 100 of the city’s top elementary school musicians did their own take on the North Carolina folk song, “Cindy.”

It was the grand finale for the Student Talents Are Rising in Suffolk (STARS) concert, held Thursday night at King’s Fork High School.

“This is where your award-winning choruses, bands and orchestras begin,” Beth Viser, music teacher at Elephant’s Fork Elementary School, told the crowd of parents, grandparents and friends.

The STARS concert is the culmination of a yearlong training program for students gifted in music.

Third- and fourth-graders in Suffolk Public Schools are tested each year for entrance into the STARS program. The test is two-fold: One part is rhythm and tonal, the second part is a one-on-one audition with their teacher.

Based on a point system, children are entered into the program for their fourth- and fifth-grade years. During the school year, students are given an extra 40 minutes each week devoted solely to developing their musical skills.

“For me, sometimes it’s surprising who does well in this setting,” said Melissa Owens, music teacher at Mt. Zion Elementary School. “Sometimes you get the student you wouldn’t think, because they are the quietest student in your class, but they have this passion within them.”

The students work with their school’s music teachers throughout the year on material for the end-of-the-year concert. Then, for one day, students from across the city meet up and work on their performance together.

“It’s phenomenal,” Viser said. “They’re kids, and they talk and they chat and they play, but they get so excited, because music is part of their soul and it just comes out of them.”

The 45-minute long program Thursday night featured five musical selections, each one showcasing different talents: dance, voice and instruments.

Each of the 13 elementary schools was represented in the STARS program.

The students take turns playing various instruments including recorders, xylophones and drums.

Viser added that events like the STARS concerts can only be done thanks to support from the school system.

“Suffolk Public Schools is extremely supportive,” Viser said. “And in a time where arts programs are getting cut from schools, we’re very thankful to have the support we have, because we know that it could be the other way.”