Sierra Hayes and 23 other members of the Pine-Richland High School Choir swapped jokes and shared nervous laughter near the props of "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood of Make Believe" in the lobby of WQED-TV in Oakland Friday.

But when the "on air" light flashed inside the studio, and the camera man announced "We're rolling," Sierra, the choir's soloist, and her friends quickly returned to reality, standing tall and donning professional smiles.

Pine-Richland, Fox Chapel Area, Seneca Valley and Shaler Area were four of 14 high school choirs from the Pittsburgh region to tape "Celebrate America," a Public Broadcasting System special showcasing high school choirs and musicians performing patriotic songs arranged or written by internationally known composer Tim Janis. The show will air in March during WQED's pledge drive week. The station will receive DVDs of the show to use for fundraising.

Mr. Janis and his ensemble are traveling to 13 cities from Maine to Montana. School choirs in each city will film a show to air on that city's public television station. "This," he said, gesturing around the modest WQED studio, considered by many to be the birthplace of modern children's television, "is a special station."

Mr. Janis, 42, of Maine, hopes to bring attention to the plight of public television and of school music programs, neither of which are on firm financial footing these days.

The schools were chosen in a variety of ways, including recommendations, said Jack Chen, education coordinator and flutist with the ensemble that travels with Mr. Janis and accompanies all the performances.

Craig Cannon, of O'Hara, director of choral activities for Fox Chapel Area High School, said, "I was excited for our kids to do something for public television. They benefit from it, but the pledge drives are directed to adults. This gives students a chance to give of themselves in a way that will generate more income than by just making a $35 pledge."

Six Fox Chapel Area musicians played in a strings ensemble that performed with all the Pittsburgh choirs. Grace Callahan, 17, of O'Hara, a member of the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra and a student at Oakland Catholic High School, was concert mistress.

The Fox Chapel choir performed "To Where You Are," a pop ballad arranged by Mr. Janis.

"Television is a different medium than they are used to," said Mr. Cannon. "It requires a more intense level of concentration. They don't know if the camera is on them at any given time."

Aaron Magill, of the North Side, who is Concert Choir director at Seneca Valley High School, said, "It's neat for the kids to see the recording process. They always like a challenge."

Mr. Magill's 78 students sang "Danny Boy."

Between takes during Pine-Richland's recording session, there was much giggling, dancing, hair fluffing, robe straightening, itch scratching, and sneezing into the crooks of arms. It took four takes, but after about 40 minutes the director declared a wrap.

"It was more relaxed and fun than I expected, and they were very nice to us," said Matt Ceuvorst, 17, a junior from Pine. "It was a privilege to perform."

Sierra Hayes, 16, of Pine, who never faltered as soloist during four takes of the show's title song, "Celebrate America," said, "We got to express our love for our country with a beautiful song. The song is about something so meaningful, and people should want to celebrate our country."

For some students, the opportunity to perform for a television audience could be a career boost. Chelsea Mazzotta, 17, a Shaler Area senior, has been singing since elementary school and hopes to major in vocal performance or opera. Shaler Area's choir, 120 strong, performed "Wild Mountain Thyme," a Scottish folk tune arranged by Mr. Janis.

Chelsea was one of three Shaler soloists. "Any chance to get out there is progress toward what I want to do in the future," Chelsea said. She said the choir has been practicing since early September and "in my opinion, we sounded great!"

Viewers will get a treat when 9-year-old Jackie Evancho sings "Ave Maria." Mr. Janis spotted Jackie, of Richland, singing on YouTube and invited her to perform a solo spot in the show.

Jackie, whose CD titled "Prelude to a Dream" will be released in November, sings classical crossover, which she describes as "pop sung in a classical fashion.

"It's my first time on TV and I'm really excited," she said. "I get these butterflies when I'm singing. They're both excited and nervous, but I like that feeling."

This is Mr. Janis's sixth national tour for public television, but the first to highlight high school students. He has used what he calls "Music With A Mission" to raise awareness about causes such as HIV-AIDS and cancer.

"I think people will be excited to hear how hard our music teachers are working," Mr. Janis said. "Our youth is so vibrant and positive, and their professionalism is so inspiring. The more people can witness these programs, the greater the understanding and appreciation of music in our schools."

Music is important, Mr. Janis said, because it helps define a country's heritage. When students perform, he said, it helps them understand history. "Music is the fingerprint of a culture."

First Published: October 15, 2009, 1:45 p.m.