The Boston Pops had a “don’t call us, we’ll call you” arrangement with the more than 200 high school students vying for a place in the finals of the orchestra’s first statewide singing contest. So when the phone hadn’t rung by 4 p.m. Sunday, Katie Mayhew, a sophomore at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, was resigned to her fate.

“I was like, ‘Okay, I probably didn’t make it, I can try next year,’ ” said the 16-year-old, speaking from school yesterday. “When they finally called, my mom went crazy.”

A West Tisbury resident, she is one of 20 finalists in the Boston Pops High School Sing-Off, a musical theatre competition. The theme is Broadway musical. Katie, who is the only finalist from the Cape and Islands, taped her rendition of Being Alive from the musical Company, with high school musical teacher Dan Murphy accompanying on piano.

The ultimate winner will perform their number live on the bank of Charles River as part of Boston’s Fourth of July celebrations.

“My song has nothing to do with July fourth,” said Katie doubtfully. “It’s a little angsty actually.”

As a finalist, Katie (also a Minnesinger and regular in the school musicals) will travel to Boston June 18 to perform her song live accompanied by the orchestra at a Boston Pops concert at Symphony Hall. All remaining contestants will be featured in one of four June concerts, and a panel of judges will pick a favorite.

“I hope I win,” added Katie.

According the her official competition biography, Katie’s other goals include getting her braces off and securing a driver’s license.