Heather Latter
As a child, Sarah Hebert watched sporting events and dreamed of being the person singing the national anthems.
Just last week, the former Fort Frances resident lived that dream as she stepped in front of 15,000 fans at the MTS Centre—dressed in a Winnipeg jersey—and belted out “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “O Canada” prior to the start of the Jets’ game against the Florida Panthers on March 1.
“It was extremely intimidating,” she admitted, who now goes by her married name of Sarah Baxter.
“It was surreal when I looked up at all the lights, cameras, and people.
“I told myself to breathe, smile, take it all in, and to just sing the anthems like I always do,” Baxter noted, adding she wanted to make everyone who was watching proud.
She conceded that knowing her performance would be broadcast live on television was nerve-wracking.
“Whether I am singing for 15 or 15,000, I always want to give my best performance,” Baxter stressed.
“You get a rush when you walk out on to any stage and perform,” she remarked.
“The bigger the stage/audience, the bigger the rush.”
Baxter, who began taking singing lessons at age nine, probably is remembered by many here for her performances in the Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts, “Quest for the Best,” and Fort High musical revues, as well as at other competitions and events.
She went on to study musical theatre at Acadia University in Wolfville, N.S., where she received her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance in 2007.
While at Acadia, Baxter had the chance to perform in several music theatre and opera productions.
Then in 2008, she wrote and recorded the album “The Fall” by Sarah Hebert with Ferguson Music Productions in Dartmouth, N.S.
Baxter and her husband, Josh, later moved from Halifax, N.S. to Winnipeg to be closer to family.
For three years, she had fun singing in a cover band throughout Winnipeg.
“We covered everything from ’80s and ’90s rock to country music, and also my originals songs from the album ‘The Fall,’” she noted.
Baxter also has been singing the national anthems at sporting events for the City of Winnipeg, such as for the Manitoba Moose at the MTS Centre and for the Winnipeg Goldeyes minor league baseball team at Shaw Park.
“When the True North Sports and Entertainment Ltd. [Winnipeg Jets] were looking for someone to fill in as their anthem singer, I was recommended by the producer of the Manitoba Moose,” explained Baxter in how she got the gig.
“I received a phone call on Monday, Feb. 29 and was asked if I would be interested in having the opportunity to sing at a NHL game the next day,” she recalled.
Of course, she said yes!
Baxter said she didn’t have to do too much to prepare since she has been performing both national anthems for many years.
“Growing up in Fort Frances, I had lots of practice singing both the Canadian and the American national anthems,” she remarked.
“I think the first time I sang the national anthems was for the ice show in Grade 8,” Baxter recalled.
“From there, I got to sing the anthems for minor hockey, Muskie boys’ and girls’ hockey, the Borderland Thunder, and numerous events for the community.”
Not only was Baxter thrilled to sing the anthems for the NHL game, but her family and friends also were excited for her.
“I have always had the support of my family and friends,” she enthused.
“When they heard I was going to be singing the anthems for the NHL, they were as excited as I was.
“People have told me that they recorded it [or] went to the nearest sports bar to watch it because they didn’t have the channel at home,” Baxter added, noting her family members got tickets and drove to Winnipeg to watch the game.
Her sister, who lives in Edmonton, even used Facetime so she could watch it live from the MTS Centre.
Baxter added her students and co-workers also have showed an outpouring of support.
“I have received countless encouraging e-mails, Facebook posts, and text messages,” she said.
“I am overwhelmed by the kind words and enthusiasm.”
A live recording posted on Facebook by her sister received more than 2,000 views in just two days.
Baxter hopes the experience was not a one-time thing, and that she’ll be given more opportunities to sing the anthems at major sporting events.
She even plans to audition next season to sing at a CFL game for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Until then, she will continue to sing the anthems for the Manitoba Moose, where she’s scheduled to sing at three more games this season.
Baxter also is a French Immersion elementary school teacher for the Winnipeg School Division at Ecole Robert H. Smith and is a graduate student at the University of Manitoba, where she is studying to get her Master’s degree in inclusive education.
She and her husband are proud parents to their one-year-old daughter, Livy.
