Category Archives: Football

Renée Fleming Brings Opera to 100 Million at Super Bowl XLVIII

Posted on February 3, 2014 by usmusicscholar

“Grammy Award-Winner and Soprano Superstar” Renée Fleming brought her silky but power packed voice to Super Bowl XLVII in an artistic performance featuring both vocal command and expressive taste. It was a banner moment for Fleming and a pop culture … Continue reading →

Posted in Arranging, Football, meter, Renée Fleming, Sports, Super Bowl | Tagged , | Leave a comment

How “The Star-Spangled Banner” Became Part of Football Pageantry

Posted on February 3, 2013 by usmusicscholar

The Banner plays roles symbolic, commercial, and practical in professional football.  When the Banner begins, all eyes in the stadium turn towards the flag, men remove their hats, and all place their left hand over their heart. The Banner announces … Continue reading →

Posted in Football, Spangled History, Sports | 2 Comments

Great Anthem Performances in Sports—Nominate Your Favorites

Posted on January 29, 2013 by usmusicscholar

Television made sports championships, such as the Super Bowl and World Series, into international entertainment extravaganzas and the role of music in sports has grown alongside. Musicians had long helped entertain, excite (and control) sports crowds since at least the … Continue reading →

Posted in Arturo Sandoval, Baseball, Basketball, Faith Hill, Football, Marvin Gaye, Performers, players, Sports, Whitney Houston | 3 Comments

Adding a Beat to the Banner: Beyoncé, Whitney & the Magic of 4/4 Time

Posted on January 26, 2013 by usmusicscholar

The hubbub about Beyoncé’s “to lip synch or not” performance of the national anthem at Obama’s second inauguration aside, everyone I’ve spoken with and read LOVED her performance. Soul superstar Aretha Franklin told ABC News that Beyoncé “did a beautiful … Continue reading →

Posted in Arranging, Beyoncé, Football, melody, meter, Music, Performers, rhythm, Sports, Whitney Houston | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

My Star-Spangled Banner—A “Key” Tradition in Sports Today

Posted on February 10, 2011 by osaycanyouhear

CONTROVERSY Christina Aguilera’s bluesy ornamented version of Francis Scott Key’s “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Super Bowl XLV has reignited controversy over appropriate performances of the national anthem of the United States. While it is her lyrical indiscretions that have sparked … Continue reading →

Posted in Controversy, Football, Lyrics, Music | Tagged | 3 Comments