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Sneak Peek: These musicians will open St. Louis Blues games with the national anthem this season

St. Louis Public Radio | By Alex Heuer
Published September 12, 2017 at 4:45 AM CDT
Nine acts were invited by the St. Louis Blues to perform at a game this season.
Alex Heuer | St. Louis Public Radio
Nine acts were invited by the St. Louis Blues to perform at a game this season.

The St. Louis Blues have invited nine acts to perform the national anthem at a game this upcoming season.

The invitations are the result of a partnership between the Blues and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, an audition process that took place on a recent Saturday at Powell Hall. The Blues and SLSO selected more than one winner after being impressed by the abundance of local talent.

Open to solo singers, groups and instrumentalists, more than 650 contestants sent in video applications. Thirty-four were invited to participate.

Listen to this audio feature aired as part of "St. Louis on the Air" on Wednesday, Sept. 13, which includes highlights of both audition rounds and judges' deliberations.

  

The Audition Process

The audition consisted of two rounds. In the first round, performed behind a black curtain, contestants were required to select a song other than “The Star Spangled Banner.” The selection could be any style or genre.

Eighteen contestants moved to the second and final round and were asked to perform the national anthem in less than 1 minute and 30 seconds to three judges sitting about a dozen rows back.

The three judges were St. Louis Blues anthem singer Charles Glenn, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra principal cellist Daniel Lee and St. Louis Symphony chorus director Amy Kaiser.
Credit Alex Heuer | St. Louis Public radio
The three judges were St. Louis Blues anthem singer Charles Glenn, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra principal cellist Daniel Lee and St. Louis Symphony chorus director Amy Kaiser.

Scott Kennebeck 

Scott Kennebeck performing the national anthem

Tenor Scott Kennebeck performing during the first round of auditions
Credit Alex Heuer | St. Louis Public Radio
Tenor Scott Kennebeck performing during the first round of auditions

River Kittens

The River Kittens performing the national anthem

St. Louis folk trio the River Kittens performing during the second round of auditions
Credit Alex Heuer | St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis folk trio the River Kittens performing during the second round of auditions

James BertelsJames Bertels performing the national anthem

James Bertels performing during the second round of auditions
Credit Alex Heuer | St. Louis Public Radio
James Bertels performing during the second round of auditions

Abigail StahlschmidtViolinist Abigail Stahlschmidt performing the national anthem

Abigail Stahlschmidt performing the national anthem
Credit Alex Heuer | St. Louis Public Radio
Abigail Stahlschmidt performing the national anthem

Saxissimo Saxophone Quartet

Saxissimo Saxophone Quartet performing the national anthem

The Saxissimo Saxophone Quartet performing during the second round of auditions
Credit Alex Heuer | St. Louis Public Radio
The Saxissimo Saxophone Quartet performing during the second round of auditions

Alex ArmstrongAlex Armstrong performing the national anthem

Alex Armstrong in a provided photo
Credit Alex Armstrong
Alex Armstrong in a provided photo

Rebecca DruryRebecca Drury performing the national anthem

Rebecca Drury
Credit Freedom Photography
Rebecca Drury

Montel Moore

Montel Moore performing the national anthem

Montel Moore
Credit Lance Omar Thurman
Montel Moore

Joseph Niemeyer Jr.  

Niemeyer was selected to join St. Louis Blues anthem singer Charles Glenn in singing the national anthem at an upcoming game after his first round performance.

Charles Glenn (L) and Joseph Niemeyer Jr. (R) talk after Niemeyer's first round audition.
Credit Alex Heuer | St. Louis Public Radio
Charles Glenn (L) and Joseph Niemeyer Jr. (R) talk after Niemeyer's first round audition.

Follow Alex Heuer on Twitter @alexheuer

St. Louis on the Air brings you the stories of St. Louis and the people who live, work and create in our region. St. Louis on the Air host Don Marsh and producers Mary Edwards, Alex Heuer and Kelly Moffitt give you the information you need to make informed decisions and stay in touch with our diverse and vibrant St. Louis region.

Copyright 2021 St. Louis Public Radio. To see more, visit St. Louis Public Radio.

Sneak Peek: These musicians will open St. Louis Blues games with the national anthem this season
Sneak Peek: These musicians will open St. Louis Blues games with the national anthem this season
Sneak Peek: These musicians will open St. Louis Blues games with the national anthem this season
Sneak Peek: These musicians will open St. Louis Blues games with the national anthem this season
Sneak Peek: These musicians will open St. Louis Blues games with the national anthem this season
Sneak Peek: These musicians will open St. Louis Blues games with the national anthem this season
Sneak Peek: These musicians will open St. Louis Blues games with the national anthem this season
Sneak Peek: These musicians will open St. Louis Blues games with the national anthem this season
Missouri News
Alex Heuer
Alex Heuer joined St. Louis Public Radio in 2012 and is the executive producer of St. Louis on the Air. Alex grew up in the St. Louis area. He began his public radio career as a student reporter at Tri States Public Radio in Macomb, Illinois and worked for a few years at Iowa Public Radio. Alex graduated summa cum laude from Western Illinois University with a degree in history and earned a teaching certificate in 6 - 12th grade social studies. In 2016, he earned a Master of Public Policy Administration with a focus in nonprofit organization management and leadership from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. He has won local and national awards for reporting and producing and his stories have been featured nationally on Morning Edition and All Things Considered.
See stories by Alex Heuer