SHS sextet performing at NSAA finals

Sidney High School's sextet singing group has been selected to sing the national anthem at the 2017 Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) football championship finals Nov. 21 at University of Nebraska's Memorial Stadium in Lincoln.

"They were selected from a group of over 200 candidates and they'll be performing live," Jennifer Mead, SHS choir director, said.

The group of six SHS students was chosen for the sextet from a larger group called Heartbreakers, a show choir, and Sidney Singers, which performs the national anthem at SHS events, Mead said.

The sextet, Mead said, is as ready for the live performance as they are excited.

"They will be fine. I'm not worried in the least," she said. "I think they're a little worried. The TV part of it got them a little nervous. I told them, if they practice long enough it will be perfect. They'll have no trouble at all."

The Nebraska School Activities Association notified SHS Monday that they were being invited to perform at the championship finals.

"When you audition, you check what finals you're available for, and these are all state finals, and there's football basketball, even bowling and track and wrestling, and then they select which venue and what time," Mead said.

The invitation reflects the group's talents, persistence and hard work, Mead said.

"This is an auditioned group, so it's not anyone," she said. "They have to pass an audition even to be in the Heartbreakers group, and then another audition to be chosen for this."

Though the students are already skilled, their performing skills continue to grow.

"A lot of these girls I've had for a couple of years in Heartbreakers," Mead said. "Last year we didn't even audition for this. This year we were able to and we got into one of the bigger slots. That's huge for us."

Performing as a sextet is no easy feat. It requires discipline and precision.

"Three of them are singing one part and three of them are singing a different part, soprano and alto in two parts," Mead said. "It has to be perfect. They have to blend with each other and listen. Nothing can be off, ever."

She added, "We only have 70 seconds, because that's their TV time limit, so it has to be pretty precise. They have to have that down cold."

Mike Brockhaus, SHS activities director, applauded the group's accomplishment.

"It is a great honor to be selected to sing the national anthem at the NSAA state championships," he said. "We've had multiple groups perform the last few years at the championships and it showcases our students, their talents, the school and the community."