Cornhusker State Games seeking groups this year to perform national anthem

    The Nebraska Sports Council has opened its annual statewide competition to determine who will perform the Star Spangled Banner at the Cornhusker State Games Opening Ceremonies.
     This year, auditions will be open to groups of two or more. Last year, when the competition was open only to individuals, Nathan Bonsall, a vocalist from Kearney, won the competition.
    The winning group will earn the right to perform the anthem at the CSG Opening Ceremonies on July 20 and will be recognized in the Nebraska Sports Council Yearbook.          Group entrants are required to include their group name, singers’ names, age, hometown, phone number and email address of the group leader, along with their contest video link.
    All group members must be amateur performers and Nebraska residents for at least 30 days.
     To enter, groups must upload one audition video to www.YouTube.com and email the video link to ashley@nebras kasportscouncil.com by April 8 at 12 midnight CT.  
    A judging panel will determine up to five finalists by April 13. Finalist videos will be posted on the Cornhusker State Games Facebook page and online voting will take place April 13-29.  The winning group will be announced on April 30.
    There is no cost to enter the anthem contest.  
     Some 11,000 Nebraskans are expected to participate in the 34th annual Cornhusker State Games, which take place July 20-29.  Registration is now open in more than 60 sports.  
    Those interested in the anthem contest or other CSG events can register or find more information at www.cornhuskerstategames.com or by calling 402-471-2544.