familiar lyrics ring out before the beginning of practically every sporting event in America. “O say can you see, by the dawn’s early light...,” You’ve probably chimed in on The Star-Spangled Banner hundreds of times and know the entire song by heart. But would you be able to sing it solo, in front of more than 60,000 people right before kickoff in Vaught- Hemingway Stadium? “It is much more difficult than it appears,” said Julia Aubrey, as- sociate professor of music at the University of Mississippi. “Even some of the most professional singers we have brought in have found it disconcerting.” Aubrey works with Ole Miss Athletics game-day committee mem- bers Brandon Hudspeth and Michael Thompson and choral director Don Trott to find national anthem singers for every home football game. Each summer, she begins by scheduling the campus choral groups, which include the concert singers and women’s and men’s glee clubs, to sing when they are available, and then fills in the rest with soloists. “There is no norm, there are no specifics; the way we find singers changes each year,” Aubrey said. Although there are no hard rules on selecting singers for the games, Aubrey enjoys searching for and bringing back Ole Miss graduates each O Say Can You Sing? fall. Former student Bonnie Borst Clowney returned to campus in 2011 to perform during the Brigham Young University vs. Ole Miss game. Performing The Star-Spangled Banner before crowds of thousands at University of “I had the opportunity to sing the anthem at the opening game of Mississippi football games requires talent, bravery and the ability to hit the high note. the season,” Clowney said. “It was such an honor to be able to sing the anthem at the game, since I have the best memories of attending the games as an undergraduate and graduate music student.” By Jennifer Wilson Ole Miss alumnus Ryan Miller has sung the national anthem before games four times. He and his wife, Erin, performed together two of those four times; first in 2007 at the University of Missouri game, then in 2012 before the Vanderbilt University game. “There have been very few more exhilarating things in our lives than singing the national anthem in front of that many proud Americans,” t es y o f Ju l ia A u bre t es y o f Ju l ia A u bre P ho t o g r a ph co u P ho t o g r a phs co u
Left, Ole Miss alumna Bonnie Borst Clowney sings the national anthem in 2011. Right, alumnus Ryan Miller and his wife, Erin, have performed the national anthem together twice in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Miller said. “From feeling a sense of them and mouth the words,” of national pride to sharing a “You can always tell how much the Aubrey said, laughing. truly priceless moment with Thanks in part to her practice your wife, singing the national crowd likes the singer based on how session, Kaeppeler’s performance anthem as an Ole Miss alum at loud the screams are.” passed the ultimate test of crowd an Ole Miss game is something approval – what Aubrey calls “the I will never forget. It was an – Ole Miss Music Professor Julia Aubrey high-note scream.” honor and a privilege.” “During practice, when Aubrey loves seeing former they get to the high note, (on the students return to Oxford, but she also recognizes the benefits word free) I say, ‘Now wait, they are going to scream.’ You can of bringing in well-known singers. During the 2012 season, always tell how much the crowd likes the singer based on how two popular public figures took the field. Former American Idol loud the screams are,” Aubrey said. contestant Skylar Laine, a Mississippi native, sang before the Egg Singing The Star-Spangled Banner in front of so many people Bowl, and Laura Kaeppeler, Miss America 2012, took the field can be challenging for a singer of any experience level. Aubrey before the Rebels faced the University of Texas. points out that it requires bravery, superior memorization skills Kaeppeler won her crown after singing an operatic piece and an impressive vocal range. But whether or not the singer during the talent portion of the Miss America competition, but performs the anthem perfectly or with a few mistakes, Ole Miss Aubrey said she was not above getting a little help when it came fans are known to show their wholehearted appreciation. to performing at Vaught-Hemingway. Like she does with every Before her performance in 2011, Clowney got a taste of the performer, Aubrey brought Kaeppeler onto the field the day enthusiasm Rebels are known for during her practice session. before the game to give her an idea of what it would be like. “The morning of the game, I went outside to sing through “She came up to me after and said, ‘Thank you so much for the anthem and get out any jitters. I was really belting it out, letting me practice!’ A lot of [the singers] are used to high-tech since I was out in the country with no one in earshot,” Clowney equipment and prompters, and we just don’t have that. It is also said. “After the last note, I heard a loud “Hotty Toddy!” along hard because there is a weird echo on the field – you sing a line with clapping and whooping. I was pretty embarrassed, but also and immediately hear your echo. It is difficult to keep focus and very encouraged by the vote of confidence. To me, that sums up stay in tune. I’m often asked by the performers to stand in front the Ole Miss spirit.”
Countdown to Kickoff
15:00 Band pregame show
10:45 Colorguard entrance
10:15 Band plays God Bless America
8:45 National Anthem Rebels run on to feild t hem 4:00
2:00 Coin Toss
1:00 Celebrity Hotty Toddy
0:00 Kickoff P ho t o g r a ph b y joe w or
Miss America 2012 Laura Kaeppeler sings the national anthem before the Rebels play the University of Texas.