How long does the national anthem need to be?
March 28, 2008 @ 2:19 p.m. by Joannaby joanna
Disclaimer: This is not a political post. I am patriotic, I love our national anthem.
Now that that part is out of the way, several of you have posted that you get a wee bit irked by the length of the national anthem sung before basketball games. I’m with you, whether it’s high school sports or not. I personally enjoy the high school singers because they’re usually high school kids, which is fun to see.
But when I covered the Wranglers, I found myself checking my watch and timing the singers. There was a man who sang it like it’s supposed to be sung — with a good speed to it. It’s not necessary to draw it out, folks. No lie, one lady at the Wranglers game took a full 3 minutes. I do not lie, I do not exaggerate here. 3 minutes! Aaaah!
Just sing the song and get on with the game.
By the way, I’ve heard that you’re not supposed to clap after the national anthem. Heard it’s rude. Anyone hear the same?
Do you think the national anthem should be sung before the boys and girls basketball games? I used to say yes, now I say no. Sing the anthem before the girls game only. There’s no need to sing it before both. Just make it the first of the night, that’s it. Of course, there are still schools out there that only sing it before the boys game, which comes after the girls game. That’s weird.
Am dying to hear your thoughts.
March 28th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
After listening to the SE choir at the E/SE game, and having hear the E group as well, let me say how awesome I think it would be to have BOTH schools work together to sing in unision, on each side of half court before their next big showdown next year. Great talent, and a way to show unity as coach Taylor and coach Allen show each other such love and respect (until the ball goes up… ;). It wouldn’t hurt the rivalry, which is fierce but friendly, and it would be a neat tie in to the game.
As for clapping after the anthem… I don’t think it breaches any national code of ethics. I clap when a good preformance is given, out of respect. Especially at the high school level when it’s a student. It takes BRASS BALLS to get out there and do that.
i like a quick pace, nothing drawn out. I’ll NEVER forget Whitney bringing tears to the nation with her Super Bowl version during the Gulf War.
The schools that do it before both games are merely looking to showcase the talent. I have no problem with that, however “ethics” dicatate that you sing the anthem one time during the day of competition.
March 28th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
I love hearing those really talented kids sing the national anthem. They are so brave to sing that really hard song in front of people! And, it points out that kids have different talents — some can shoot threes, and some can nail those high notes — and the schools and parents ought to support them all enthusiastically. I don’t think a nice round of applause for a job well done is disrespectful at all. Once an evening is sufficient, and I don’t care for “arrangements” that drag it out, or differ too much from the original.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
The worst national anthem rendition I have ever heard was this year’s 3-2-1A state wrestling tournament. The Oberlin show chorus got dressed up to do the anthem TWICE on the second day. The anthem went almost three minutes, and at “Rocket’s Red Glare”, someone broke out into a solo for the rest of the song. And the worst thing was, it was a different person each time! It was purely awful. I understand they’re high school kids, but I’ve never heard that in my life. And I never hope to again.
Greg, I have to disagree with you 100 percent on Whitney Houston. It wasn’t that good. It’s only remembered because it came during the Gulf War and at a Super Bowl. Mariah Carey’s version at the first Super Bowl after 9/11 was far, far better.
March 29th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
You are saying Whitney was only memerable due to the war? You say it wasn’t that good? I respect that people have differing opinions, but you are on CRACK! She blew that song away with her voice and talent. She’s turned into a junkie since then, but in her hayday, she could SING. I’m putting this to the masses to weigh in. If another person agrees with you that she wasn’t that good, I’ll stop blogging for 4 days……..
March 30th, 2008 at 10:09 am
I LOVE hearing the Star Spangled Banner sung at every game.
I LOVE it in a gym or on television.
For a few moments, I think about my deceased veteran dad.
Our flag has always been our family’s personal symbol for remembering him. For his funeral, we bought him a beautiful tie with the US flag pattern on it.
I never get tired of listening and enjoying that song…….even when it is a recording, and I think about Daddy.
March 30th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
I think the Anthem should be sung before both games. It’s an equity issue for me. The girls games get short shift as it is. Both games should be treated the same. That means that the boys games should be played first part of the time and girls given the showcase time part of the time.
I agree with Johanna about drawing out the singing. Sing it like it is written!
Best rendition I’ve ever heard is Collegiate’s a’capella choir from the late 90’s at mid-court — no music to follow, no conductor, just a small group (8?-10?) doing an amazing job in pure voice on a very difficult song. Singers included ordinary students, basketball players and cheerleaders.
April 2nd, 2008 at 12:19 pm
I beleive it needs to be sung before both games, not for us adults in the stands, but for the kids playing.