Inuvik (May 19/06) - Songs by Johnny Cash and Green Day highlighted the spring concert last week, when the SAMS singing group took the stage in front of a packed audience of parents and family members.

Sir Alexander Mackenzie teacher Gerry Woolridge is the instructor for the singing group.

This year the songs were chosen by the students.

"You wouldn't believe that the kids are such huge Johnny Cash fans," said Woolridge.

The group was formed at the beginning of the school year and practise once a week.

"They also have impromptu rehearsals at recess, too," said Woolridge.

To start their set, singers performed Johnny Cash's "Walk the line."

Woolridge played guitar with two of the students in the group.

Twelve-year-old Dustin Greenland was one of the guitar strummers. He said he started learning the song a few months ago.

"We chose the song because so many of us like Johnny Cash," said Greenland.

Greenland said he started playing the guitar about five months ago and started playing Cash songs almost immediately.

Woolridge said they chose "Walk the line" because of the recent box office smash, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon.

The second song performed by the group was "Wake me up when September ends" by punk rockers Green Day.

"The group liked the song and it was appropriate enough to sing," said Woolridge. "It's a good tune."

Alexa Lundrigan was one of the students who chose the Green Day song. She heard the song through a friend.

"It's popular, I guess," said Lundrigan.

Some students have been singing for a long time, like Caroline Kaufman.

Kaufman said she enjoys singing songs that she listens to, like the Black Eyed Peas and more Green Day.

"I've been singing since I was really little," said Kaufman.