Singing America’s most famous song in front of thousands of hometown fans may be a challenge, but it’s become routine for NIU senior Nicholas Brooks.

He sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” Saturday night for more than 38,000 fans at Soldier Field before the Chicago Bears’ final pre-season game.

“It was just a high for me, it’s something that there are no words to even describe it,” Brooks said. “It was just a surreal feeling. One of the things that was so powerful while doing the anthem was having all the players and the crowd seeing my name up on the board, the feeling was almost like an out-of-body experience.”

Brooks, a double major in vocal performance and business administration, already had performed the song at Wrigley Field and Comiskey Park before baseball games.

“I got a great reception from the crowd, the coaches and the players,” he said. “I kept hearing applause and it was very emotional for me. It was a peak experience for me.”

Brooks’ agent, Dan Winfield, arranged the performance.

“[Dan] has been a marvelous aspect to my career,” Brooks said. “He’s organized wonderful gigs for me to perform.”

The respect is mutual.

“I’ve always admired his devotion to his craft,” Winfield said. “He’s got one of the most extraordinary voices I’ve ever heard, his range is amazing.”

Brooks added that the performance was difficult because there was a three-second delay between the time the sound came out of his mouth and when it was broadcast stadium-wide.

“It was extremely hard to sing with the three-second delay,” he said. “I had to wear special earplugs and concentrate strictly on the song. It’s easy to get lost in [the song] and [the delay] can really throw you off. It was the most concentration I’ve ever had to put forth.”

Brooks, a native of suburban Batavia, began his career at age eight by singing gospel at his local Baptist church. He sang in choirs during middle and high school and later was recruited by NIU for the Northern Illinois Jazz Ensemble.

“One of the things that got me started was people’s reaction to my voice and my singing,” Brooks said. “My parents’ support helped. Without that, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

Brooks’ talent has not only affected his listeners but his teachers as well.

“As a performer, his desire to engage the audience is admirable,” said Joey Sellers, an assistant professor of jazz studies at NIU. “These are the things that kids at this level should be doing if they want to succeed.”

In addition to his national anthem performances, Brooks performed earlier this year with legendary trumpeter Wynton Marsalis as part of the NIU jazz ensemble at a concert in New York City. The ensemble also recently toured Europe.

As for his future, Brooks met a record producer at the New York performance and currently is negotiating a record contract.

“I want to be an international recording artist,” he said. “I want to be doing what I love.”

Winfield added that Brooks’ faith is a big part of his success.

“His spirituality is what made him the singer he is today and the singer he’s going to become,” Winfield said. “There’s so much more in store for him. He has all the makings of a star.”