Sing Around Nebraska tunes in Columbus

COLUMBUS -- Columbus and area students put their singing skills on display at Sing Around Nebraska.

One-hundred-and-fifty-six elementary students were chosen to perform together as a choir for the biannual event Saturday at the Nantkes Performing Arts Center at Columbus High School.

The students were from each of the Columbus Public Schools, St. Bonaventure Elementary, Immanuel Lutheran, Humphrey Public, North Bend, Cross County, Lyons Decatur, Newman Grove and Lindsay Holy Family.

Auditions were held at each school prior to the concert. Students were chosen to participate based on their singing consistently on pitch, being able to maintain a musical part, willing to memorize and spend time on the pieces and exhibiting self-discipline.

Overall, there are 12 sites that participate in Sing Around Nebraska. Half of those sites were holding concerts today, and the other six will be Feb. 23.

The group in Columbus was directed by Larry Decker, music specialist at Grand Island Public Schools. Students practiced six hours Saturday, learning seven pieces of music before the performance.

For most of the students, this was an introduction for them to a choral experience.

“This might be the first time that any of the kids sang in a choir with a director,” Decker said.

By participating, students also were presented with challenging music, and music teachers from area schools were given the opportunity to learn from a clinician working with the students.

Decker said the students selected for Sing Around Nebraska are musically gifted.

“You are witnessing phenomenal talent up here,” he told the audience during the performance.