Starting in a thread last season (and touched on a couple of other times in the past few months) there was discussion about possibly getting together a group (Federal Baseball Singers? Feel free to suggest a better name) to sing the National Anthem at the ballpark this summer. Well, stuff just got real, y'all :-) The Nationals are scheduling auditions (not open to the public) on Saturday, March 10. Only 90 singers/groups will be scheduled, and it's first come/first served. I have a contact in the Nationals' offices that has already put my name on the audition list. From the announcement:
NATIONAL ANTHEM PERFORMERS
The first 90 anthem hopefuls to submit their resume (performance or otherwise) and a recent photo to anthem@nationals.com will be invited to audition live at Nationals Park on Saturday, March 10.
Anthem performers must meet the following prerequisites:
-The anthem should be no longer than 90 seconds
-The anthem must be performed in the traditional style; all auditions must be A cappella.
-Groups and instrumentalists are invited to audition as well
These auditions are not open to the public and will take place regardless of weather conditions For more information, visit nationals.com.
Of course, I don't actually have a group together yet, and apparently I have only a few weeks to put one together. Anyone interested in joining our happy crew please contact me directly at d[underscore]c[underscore]guy@yahoo dot com (yeah, I know, original, isn't it?). Posting in this thread is less helpful, but appreciated as a second option. Bonus points if you have a personal favorite arrangement of the Anthem to try, and/or access to a recording studio. The latter is helpful because the team will also take recorded submissions.
Who's in?
5 recs | 44 comments
I'm in the UMD Generics
the only all male a cappella group at the University of Maryland. Check out our group singing the anthem at a University of Maryland Basketball Game. We’ve performed at Ravens games before. Always wanted to sing at a Nats game.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pfe-lDtfMT0
Greenterp - February 7, 2012
Very cool!
Sound seemed a little tenor heavy, but that may have been microphone placement. Do you have the arrangement that you guys sang there?
d_c_guy - February 8, 2012 via mobile
thanks
we actually just winged it, so there is no arrangement to speak of. We just sang whatever harmony we knew/could come up with on the spot and some of us sang the melody and it came out pretty nice. Sorry I couldn’t be more help
Greenterp - February 8, 2012
Nice!
Enjoyed that rendition very much. Of course, you guys were unpatriotically interrupted by the stupid O’s fans with the “O” chant. I give the O’s fans a break in Camden Yards, but they should cut that crap when they are somewhere else. I am as offended by it almost as much as someone who burns our beloved Stars and Stripes. But, I really enjoyed your performance.
sullyzz - February 8, 2012
Nice job!
PerryMason - February 8, 2012
Most Memorable Performances?
One of the most memorable ones I have seen at Nats Park was an Air Force Master Sergeant from the Air Force Honor Guard, who sang not only the National Anthem, but also did the “God Bless America” in the 7th Inning. That guy had an incredible voice.
As much as I have liked his performances, and he does a good job, but does anyone else think that Mr. D.C. Washington gets the call a little too much? BTW….what is his background?
Finally….if I could sing, I’d gladly join your group Patrick; but my performances don’t usually leave the shower!
sullyzz - February 8, 2012
Hey
I would be very interested in singing. I sang 4 years in an Acapella group as a baritone and would love to reignite my passion for singing! My email is acting spotty so thought I would just leave this here!
Mr.Popout - February 8, 2012
awesome!
Might have trouble getting you to/from rehearsals or recording sessions if we don’t have your e-mail, though :-)
d_c_guy - February 8, 2012
Are you looking to put together a group of Federal Baseball members only?
If others are welcome, my Nats fan daughter would probably be willing to join you…. (degree in voice, sings with the Washington Master Chorale, http://www.washingtonmasterchorale.org/listen/)
PerryMason - February 8, 2012
This was my favorite gig she did!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daBk9uNtwtE&feature=youtube_gdata_player
(I can’t promise the geetar player though)
PerryMason - February 8, 2012
I'm in if you need lyric baritone...Name's Bernie I use to sing in an a capella group
I could ask a couple of the other guys I use to sing with if they’d like to sing, too. We had an awesome arrangement of the National anthem. I say the more the merrier btw…
Berndaddy - February 8, 2012
just no visual effects
I’m not sure the Nats FO would appreciate the singing accompanied by “Enormous P***s”…
jbg2772 - February 8, 2012
Whenever life gets you down ...
d_c_guy - February 8, 2012
fun fact
Rich Hsu, the guy who wrote and performed that song, founded my a cappella group
Greenterp - February 8, 2012
Secret Asian Man!
Yeah, I’m a total DVN fan lol
d_c_guy - February 8, 2012
Richard didn't write the song. Paul Sabourin wrote it.
Richard and Storm both went to UMD.
Berndaddy - February 9, 2012
Richard was one of the founders of the Generics... Storm came in the next year.
Berndaddy - February 9, 2012
Actually I was hoping to ask Rich to help us with arranging and sing...Rich rocks at that...
Berndaddy - February 9, 2012
I'll never live this down. Paul use to say all the time, "You got to write what you know", I wouldn't know but I trust him.
Berndaddy - February 9, 2012
Your Group Name
In the Simpsons Barbershop Quartet Episode, when the “B-sharps” was being formed and they were trying to think of a name, Skinner astutely said “Er, um, we need a name that’s witty at first, but that seems less funny each time you hear it.”
With that in mind, here are a couple of suggestions:
The DC Guy Consort
The Chin Music Ensemble
okay… maybe they aren’t even funny at first.
PerryMason - February 8, 2012
Hey all - thanks for the responses!
I’m on travel this week, so I won’t be able to really start counting noses until this weekend. To answer a couple of questions, I’m looking for all vocal parts, non-FB members are welcome (we’ll turn ’em into Nats fans yet!), and anyone having recording equipment or knowing where we can get some, please let us know!
d_c_guy - February 8, 2012
I just spoke with my daughter about this and she’s up for it. I told her you’d be starting to organize in the near future.
Good luck, I think it would be really cool!
PerryMason - February 9, 2012
Just wanted to apologize. FanPosts currently hidden at worst possible time for this post...
hopefully be back up soon.
Patrick Reddington - February 9, 2012
they appear to be back for me now
dc Roach - February 9, 2012
Interim: looking for arrangements and possible recording options
Thanks for the response! Between people here and some other friends of mine I think we have sufficient numbers (although there’s room for more). Contact should mostly be maintained through my e-mail address (d_c_guy at yahoo dot com), so feel free to check in with me there. I promise not to divulge an e-mail address without permission. :-) In addition to people, we could also use possible vocal arrangements (SATB preferred, although we may well have enough for eight part harmony).
Another potential issue is that I have a schedule conflict with March 10. My contact in the sales office thinks that we can submit a recording in lieu of a live audition, and I am seeking to confirm that with the Nats’ staff running the auditions. To that end, if you have recording equipment, or know a way that we can get such access, let me know. It doesn’t have to be studio quality (although I’ll take that if I can get it!).
If I’m counting correctly, from this thread we have: Greenterp (tenor?); Berndaddy (Baritone); Mr.Popout (Bass/Baritone); PerryMason’s daughter (S/A?); and myself (tenor). And possibly Rich Hsu, depending on Berndaddy’s persuasiveness. I’ve received three other FB contacts through e-mail, and also have several friends interested – so if this comes off we should have a fine mixed group. More bulletins as information warrants.
d_c_guy - February 11, 2012
rec'd the post to keep it on top........
(look between the post and the comments section…)
cat daddy3000 - February 11, 2012
Thanks! It won't let me rec my own post ;-)
d_c_guy - February 11, 2012
nope, the others have to help.........well, just two at least..............
cat daddy3000 - February 11, 2012
tossed in a rec
dc Roach - February 11, 2012
looks like it worked....
cat daddy3000 - February 12, 2012
with the help of a mysterious third party….. (raccoon applause!!!………..)
cat daddy3000 - February 12, 2012
Rec'ing and rooting for you guys
I’m an instrumentalist (I teach band) but I’m not one who can sing in public. Good luck!
Whiter Mage - February 12, 2012
Hey dc_guy ... I've asked Rich if he could sing with as and help us out...
… He’s got mad skills at arranging and I’m hoping that he’ll response and help out. That and he’s a tenor. The way up high kind that any group always needs. I gave him a link to this Fanpost. So, hopeful he’ll be reading this shortly.
Berndaddy - February 13, 2012
That would be awesome!
When I told one of my friends that you were involved in this and that Rich Hsu might be, she literally gave a fangirl “Squee!” So the DVN fans are still out there, mon vieux.
I have an inquiry into the Nats about submitting a recording, and a couple of lines on recording facilities. I have a friend of mine who conducts a local chamber chorale looking for arrangements as well, so the project proceeds apace.
d_c_guy - February 13, 2012
Rich just emailed me and said he's in...
He also read Federal Baseball. Tell you’re squealing friend she just made my day. I’ve got the mics and a two line interface for recording digital. ( Two stereo condenser mics should be enough) I also have Pro-tools lite I can download on anyone’s laptop to get the recording going. I just don’t have a laptop yet. ( I’ve been given the ok to buy from my wife ;) )
To recap
Rich is in
Thx to squealing fangirl
I have to makings of a mobil recording studio. We’d just need a nice room for the recording.
Berndaddy - February 13, 2012
Momentum continues to build!
I’m also a first tenor, but have been instructed by my friends that (as a first tenor) I am not allowed to chose the key. I fancy the rule may also apply to Rich; apparently first tenors are inclined to sing way up high. Not that there’s anything wrong with that :-)
d_c_guy - February 13, 2012
The Nationals have confirmed that they will accept a recording
Preferably an .mp3 file, although they will accept a CD or even a YouTube link. Since I have a schedule conflict for March 10, I’m voting for the recording.
Now, the hard part: making it happen. We need to find a place to rehearse and record the anthem, a means of recording, choose an arrangement and record it. All of this is going to be a LOT easier if you guys e-mail me – it also would enable us to coordinate without posting our schedules on the internet (not that there’s anything wrong with that). My preliminary target is sometime the weekend of 24th-26th; I’m thinking it shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours.
Again, my e-mail is d_c_guy at yahoo dot com. If we bring this off, it will be very cool. And to think, we first dreamed it up in a game thread!
d_c_guy - February 14, 2012
Hello, people!
Sorry I’m late to the party (it’s what happens these days.) A few quick thoughts:
- making a quality recording is surprisingly easy. Between me and Bernie and probably some of you guys, I’m sure we have all the gear we need. You could actually record it in someone’s garage and it would sound fine. We’ll aim for something a little better.
- we need to figure out what we have, voice wise. It’s not all guys, right? (Hey, I used to sing the Master Chorale!)
- to me, the best versions of the NA are the simple ones. The way we used to do it was sing fairly close-harmony, then Bernie would Release the Big Note during “rockets’ red glare”. We’ll listen and figure out who that will be.
Sounds like March 10 is the submission deadline. I am, unfortunately, unavailable next weekend (24-27) but let’s all work that part out.
What’s next?
Thanks! best, Richard
richdvn - February 16, 2012
Welcome aboard Rich
I’ve added you on FB, and may take some nuts & bolts discussions offline there. Right now it looks like 3 sopranos, 2 altos, 2 tenors, and Bernie as baritone have confirmed. PerryMason has to get cracking and give me info on his daughter so we can add her to the crew, and I’ve got a couple more bass/bari types who have confirmed. Greenterp also needs to check back in on this thread or e-mail me … darnit, it’s like herding cats sometimes :-)
The singers are all experienced – at least at the community level, up through semi-pro and some professional singing experience. I’m thinking a couple of hours of work would enable us to run through and record 2-3 different variations, and then we can pick one or send them all in.
d_c_guy - February 16, 2012
Good stuff. SATB it is. I’m on it!
richdvn - February 20, 2012
DC,
Have you received my emails about this? I want to make sure I’ve been sending them to the correct addy.
Perry
PerryMason - February 20, 2012
Yes - just sent you a response. Your daughter is in :-)
d_c_guy - February 20, 2012
Stuff Bernie has for recording
M-Audio – interface two input
ProTools Lite
Two stereo condenser mics
Two large diaphram mics
4or 6 (I don’t remember) mic preamps
One used smokey ladened baritone vox that’s use to singing soul music but can adapt to any musical environment except pure bluegrass country.
Berndaddy - February 16, 2012
Update: I have 10 singers in so far, and I've sent an updated e-mail for scheduling purposes
Rich, I need to get your e-mail address.
Greenterp, please e-mail me or let me know how to reach you if you’re still interested in joining us.
Anyone else, this is pretty much last call to get in, because once we schedule a rehearsal/recording session I doubt I’ll be adding more singers.
d_c_guy - February 20, 2012
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Federal Baseball to post a comment.