That was probably the worst anthem since Rosanne Barr. Utterly irritating.

The best in recent memory...the 2009 Orange Bowl by Arturo Sandoval. His performance was both stunning and chillingly gripping, not an "everybody look at me" performance.

YouTube - Arturo Sandoval National Anthem, 2009 Orange Bowl.

Personally, I'm quite fond of the rendition done by Philadelphia Flyers anthem singer Lauren Hart.

She's the daughter of the long-time (now deceased) voice of the Flyers Gene Hart, she's a breast cancer survivor, and she's easy on the eyes, too.

Bonus material, she sings O Canada before the anthem here.

YouTube - O Canada / Star Spangled Banner sung by Lauren Hart

Cool Ending ...
 

Watched the video. Thought, "This is good", until I got the the end of the song, and changed my mind to, "This is really great". Thanks for sharing.

You Don't Have to Be A Flyer's Fan To Appreciate This ...
 

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She should be. She was wandering around looking for pitches. She actually changed key twice. YUK! My middle school students sing it better than she did. IMO performers that try and make singing the Star Spangled Banner more about them than about those who have sacrificed for our country ARE being disrespectful. :(

I disagree.

1. It's not disrespectful. It may not offer sufficient respect, but that's different and even then up for debate.

2. If the networks wanted the standard versions, they'd simply go out and hire a local middle school chorus to sing it.

A competitive middle school chorus?

Varsity :rolleyes:

Well of course. They're much better than the recreational middle school chorii.

I disagree with you Snags but I can respect your right to your own opinion. If you read the post - I didn't make a universal statement, I prefaced it with IMO. My opinion is no more right or wrong than yours or anyone elses.

Nope - My chorus is just your everyday variety of middle school kids.

Yes it's true that some some places do go out and get these kids to sing various renditions of the Star Spangled Banner. Our MS and HS kids have successfully sung at professional basketball games numerous times.

My personal favorites are the local high school kids that perform; even if they end up changing keys. :D

Maybe the NFL (and broadcasting network) should hold some sort of competition every year to choose a high school chorus local to the Superbowl location for the anthem.

I just wonder, because they always seem to bring someone in who wants to make it their own.

I remember when my group was practicing to sing it for my graduation from basic training, our instructor had four words for us.

"Don't #*@& it up."

LOL :D I've had my share of key changes over the last 25 years but - as a group we've managed to not mangle the words ................ yet. :)

Yeah, that's like missing a layup or dropping a would-be-touchdown pass in the endzone.

+1

Elite even.