Indiana Girl's National Anthem Rendition Stirs Flap

[somone]

http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/stopthepresses/361718/ind-girls-national-anthem-rendition-stirs-flap/

Ind. Girl's National Anthem Rendition Stirs Flap
Associated Press

An Indiana school district that told a black teenager to perform "The Star-Spangled Banner" in a "traditional way" after receiving complaints about her performance is drawing questions now about whether the complaints and directive were racially motivated. Shai Warfield-Cross, 16, has performed the national anthem at sports events at Bloomington High School North over the last year without incident. But school officials said they received complaints about her performance during a game in Martinsville.

Principal Jeff Henderson told The Herald-Times in a statement that people had complained that while the words to the anthem were the same, the tune was unrecognizable. He declined to comment to The Associated Press. Some who complained after the game in Martinsville - a predominantly white community about 30 miles southwest of Indianapolis - also said they felt the rendition was disrespectful to current and former members of the military, Henderson said.

Warfield-Cross' family says athletics director Jen Hollars told the teen last Friday that she would not be allowed to sing the anthem unless she modified her version and sang in a more traditional way. Hollars declined to comment and referred questions to Henderson, who said school officials told Warfield-Cross the performances should be more "traditional" to ensure the song's tune is recognizable.

"She was not told that she would no longer be allowed to perform," he said. "She was given guidelines that we hoped she would follow. She performed the next night using those guidelines and she sang beautifully."...

[realisticphish]

1. for the next game

someone needs to play hendrix's SBB


also... LOL WUT

It wasn't that different from any gospel-type rendition that I've heard. Who gives a shit? Now it's not enough for them that people are patriotic; they have to be patriotic in the RIGHT WAY

[oberliner]

2. Ind. principal sorry after telling teen to sing anthem in ‘traditional’ way

An Indiana school principal has apologized to one of his students and her family after they protested that she’d been told to sing the Star-Spangled Banner in a more “traditional” way.

The formal apology by Bloomington High School North principal Jeff Henderson was made public after a nearly two-hour meeting with student Shai Warfield-Cross, her family and other supporters.

The girl says Henderson also has agreed to introduce her the next time she sings the anthem before an athletic event, and she’ll perform it in her own style.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/3544548-418/anthem-sing-teen-traditional-principal.html

[petronius]

3. I would say that a talented singer providing her own artistic interpretation of the song

is more patriotic than cookie-cutter 'patriots' demanding that it be sung the same way every time. It's an American anthem, born out of American experiences (and English bar-room debauchery, of course), so a young American actually engaging with the song ought to be celebrated...

[alittlelark]

4. I listened to it. She is really good.

Anyone who complains must be coming from a 'skin color' point of view.

[Cid_B]

23. Yeah that must be it...

orrrrrrr... just maybe some of us prefer the song to be recognizable. Singers who butcher it to "make it their" own are doing a disservice.

But of course anyone who complains is just a racist. That's much easier....

[alittlelark]

24. Dude, I'm white and make $ off my voice

I have since 1981. She has a beautiful voice, she has a unique style.


If you are going to try to say that she should PLAY TO a ?? Normal audience...

Dunno what to say - you know how embarrassed you are right now.

[Cid_B]

25. I don't care if you are king of the lounge lizards...

I am saying that I and others don't like it when singers morph the anthem into a clusterfuck of its former self to "express" themselves.

"Anyone who complains must be coming from a 'skin color' point of view"

You are the one claiming that anyone who has the gall to not bask in the glory of it is a racist.

P.S. It doesn't matter if you are white, even though that seems to matter to you.

[Name removed]

27. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

28. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[alittlelark]

29. The only alteration I will make is the spelling of Alter/Altar

Take me on - my bro lost his life to a Catholic Bro.


I have a lot of experience.

Take me on - I need it.

[Cid_B]

88. Seriously..

I have no idea what message you are trying to convey here.

What is a Catholic Bro? Is that the priest rank before you get to be a father that I never heard of? And what does it have to do with your deceased family member?

I'd love to play but you have to at least tell me what game this is you are trying for...

[Name removed]

64. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

70. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[jbnow]

43. If she'd been singing it for a year already I sort of doubt

it was "clusterfuck of its former self"
A clusterfucker would be unlikely to make repeated performances, let alone be asked to do them all

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

76. No, wait, let me guess.

That "wrong anthem" made you as uncomfortable as a male soldier in a shower after DADT repeal, right?

[Cid_B]

87. We've got to stop meeting like this...

... People are going to think there's something between us :blush:

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

92. I'm secure about my sexuality. I don't have these kinds of neuroses. -nt

[trumad]

83. Whaaaaaaa!

It's just a fucking song...

My God...

[blueamy66]

33. How was it "not recognizable"?

Do you have a medical hearing problem?

Sounded great to me.

[Phentex]

41. I'm confused, too... is the link in the thread the good one or the bad one?...

because it sounds like the normal version to me. I have heard locals try to "Mariah up" their version much much more than this girl did. It's a difficult song to sing. If the notes were off, I don't think it was on purpose.

I'm wondering about the two versions. :shrug:

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

65. See #64. -nt

[blueamy66]

67. why? nt

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

74. See your PM.

[marmar]

52. 'Singers who butcher it to "make it their" own are doing a disservice.'

A disservice to what? WTF?

[Enthusiast]

71. A disservice to the

real owners of this nation.

[DireStrike]

56. Plenty of singers of ALL COLORS love ruining the anthem with their... "creative" flourishes.

I think it's a good song as is. 99% of singers who deviate significantly from the song wind up butchering it. It doesn't even matter if the new song sounds good in its own right... it's not the anthem.

It's supposed to be a communally recognizable song. There is much less room for creativity in a case like this. I can see how some people would enjoy hearing the song rendered in a different way, but I think the vast majority want it pretty much the same as they've known it all their lives.

[cleanhippie]

73. Couldn't agree more.

The original score (words from a poem and music from a drinking song) were arranged and adopted as our National Anthem. Trying to be creative with it doing it a disservice, IMO.

[SoCalDem]

79. I agree.. If you want to "change" old standards, make a CD & offer it for sale

:)

[Cid_B]

86. Well said...

[dems_rightnow]

85. That's disturbing.

I have just discovered that I am apparently a racist.... against all races. Thanks for the crisp definition.

[H2O Man]

103. I absolutely agree.

It sounds really good to me, and I noticed the audience responded in a positive way.

There are always going to be a few people who will complain -- be it at the event, or here on DU. But they are way off base.

[leftstreet]

5. Ugh. National anthem at school sporting events. :facepalm: n/t

[Orrex]

6. Shut your pinko mouth and worship The Flag as you're told

[leftstreet]

9. oh, okay

:hi:

[realisticphish]

19. thats... uh... an interesting selection of logos

most of them make sense as a critique of corporatism, but Playboy? Xerox? Friggin Adobe? Just amusing, I guess :)

[Occulus]

60. Really odd collection, considering Xerox literally gave us the mouse and the GUI.

My understanding is that they intentionally refrained from monetizing those two innovations.

[NuclearDem]

8. SSB at high school sporting events != flag worship

lol panic

[a la izquierda]

49. entire arenas pray before sporting events here in oklahoma...

weirded me out first time i heard it, and i grew up in a strict catholic family.

[Enthusiast]

72. Prayers too. Don't forget prayers. nt

[Nye Bevan]

7. It did seem like she got some of the notes wrong.

Why can't people just sing the actual notes? I don't see this as a racial issue, I wouldn't want a singer of any color randomly changing the tune for no apparent reason.

[Bill McBlueState]

10. some army guy sang the national anthem...

...at the first Thursday night NFL game last year.

It was horrible -- he missed every other note. But that didn't make headlines. As well it shouldn't have -- who cares?

[SidDithers]

11. Marvin Gaye - 1983 NBA All-Star Game...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRvVzaQ6i8A&feature=related

The crowd in LA didn't seem to mind his non-traditional version.

Sid

[Forkboy]

14. +1

[DaveinJapan]

35. Beat me to it. :p nt

[Fumesucker]

40. +1

[bullwinkle428]

78. BEST. VERSION. EVER!!!!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[fishwax]

84. His version at a boxing match in 1979 is also good

And also seems to be well-received: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPevEQ5NFlk&feature=related

I hadn't heard either before your link though, so thanks for sharing that :thumbsup:

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

94. Well, you know, it's California. Full of them sissy leftos.

Not rugged individualist manly patriots who charge ahead even if they're dead and need to be propped on their horses to scare the enemy.

[Ysabel]

102. +++++

[patrice]

12. I like it. Perhaps a touch toooo much "english" on too many notes, but quite nice overall, BUT

I agree with others here: all of this oh so fervent panic to "respect" the flag is just so overbearing and it belies people's weakness and panic about issues that are NOT going to be really improved by singing the national anthem at high school sporting events. In fact, that kind of activity probably distracts us from what our real patriotic responsibilities are.

[TlalocW]

13. In high school pep band for basketball games, we played a non-traditional version

At least it became a non-traditional version because at 3 separate games, one of the drummers kept dropping the cymbals during the ending.

TlalocW

[CC]

15. She could always use the original words

to the tune. Was written by and for the Anacreontic Society, a gentlemen's club in England. Bet a whole lot of plastic patriots would get their panties in a wad then. lol

To Anacreon in Heav'n, where he sat in full glee,
A few Sons of Harmony sent a petition;
That he their Inspirer and Patron wou'd be;
When this answer arrived from the Jolly Old Grecian;
"Voice, Fiddle, and Flute,
No longer be mute,
I'll lend you my name and inspire you to boot,
And besides I'll instruct you like me, to intwine,
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine."

The news through Olympus immediately flew;
When Old Thunder pretended to give himself airs.
If these Mortals are suffered their scheme to pursue,
The Devil, a Goddess, will stay above stairs.
"Hark," already they cry,
"In transports of joy,
Away to the Sons of Anacreon we'll fly.
And besides I'll instruct you like me, to intwine,
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine.

The Yellow-Haired God and his nine lusty Maids,
From Helion's banks will incontinent flee,
Idalia will boast but of tenantless Shades,
And the bi-forked hill a mere desert will be.
My Thunder no fear on't,
Shall soon do it's errand,
And damme I'll swing the Ringleaders I warrant,
I'll trim the young dogs, for thus daring to twine,
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine."

Apollo rose up and said, "Pry'thee ne'er quarrel,
Good sing of the Gods with my Vot'ries below:
Your Thunder is useless"--then showing his laurel,
Cry'd "Sic evitable fulmen" you know!
"Then over each head
My laurels I'll spread
So my sons from your Crackers no mischief shall dread,
While snug in their clubroom, they jovially twine,
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine.'

Next Momus got up with his risible Phiz
And swore with Apollo he'd cheerfully join--
'The full tide of Harmony still shall be his,
But the Song, and the Catch, and the Laugh,
shall be mine.
Then Jove be not jealous
Of these honest fellows,"
Cry'd Jove, "We relent since the truth you now tell us;
And swear by Old Styx, that they long shall intwine,
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine."

Ye Sons of Anacreon then join hand in hand;
Preserve Unanimity, Friendship, and Love!
'Tis yours to support what's so happily plann'd;
You've the sanction of Gods, and the Fiat of Jove.
While thus we agree,
Our toast let it be:
"May our Club flourish Happy, United, and Free!
And long may the Sons of Anacreon intwine,
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine."

Adding a you tube link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRwAoneiDMc

[toddaa]

16. Let's face it, our National Anthem is a shitty song

We all stand at attention, hands over our hearts, and wait patiently for the god awful screeching to end so that the umpire can to shout play ball and we can go back to our warm beer and cold hot dog.

[Bette Noir]

93. Agreed, and I don't even drink beer or eat hot dogs.

[Bigmack]

17. God gave us the Anthem sung the way .....

old white people sing it! Anything else makes the Baby Jesus puke!

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

38. LOL n/t

[HubertHeaver]

18. I think the girl is an exceptional singer. Sounded as though she

ran herself out of air a couple of times but, all in all, a fine rendition. Our anthem is difficult to perform. Even professionals have difficulty with it. For the record, I am a military veteran and I do not feel disrespected by this "from the heart" rendition.

[realisticphish]

20. Not to mention that she got the words COMPLETELY wrong!

To Anacreon in Heav'n, where he sat in full Glee,
A few Sons of Harmony sent a Petition,
That He their Inspirer and Patron wou'd be;
When this Answer arriv'd from the Jolly Old Grecian
"Voice, Fiddle, and Flute,
"No longer be mute,
"I'll lend you my Name and inspire you to boot,
"And, besides, I'll instruct you like me, to intwine
"The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine.

[canetoad]

26. More details?

Are these the original words?

On edit: no need to reply, have looked up the history of your national anthem.

[alittlelark]

30. uh, yeah..... I thought it was just fine....

[realisticphish]

31. those are the words

to Anacreon in Heaven, which was the tune they took for the anthem

[cleanhippie]

75. Unless she was TRYING to sing "The Anacreontic Song", which is doubtful, no she didn't.

And the words come from a poem. They were combined to form a new song, so unless she botched the words F. S. Key wrote, she did not get them wrong.

[realisticphish]

96. uh, yeah, I know

it's a joke

[cleanhippie]

97. OK, no worries.

Hard to tell sometimes on DU

[OutNow]

21. I prefer the 1968 Mexico City version of the song

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Carlos-Smith.jpg

[sylvi]

22. I just listened to the clip

It doesn't seem she stylized it much at all, really. From the story I was expecting it to be really "out there", but in fact it sounded restrained and respectful.

Some people just have to complain about something, I guess.

[blueamy66]

32. She has a beautiful voice

and the song was great.

Some people have too much time on their hands....quit complaining and find something useful to do.

[Glimmer of Hope]

105. I agree. Criticizing a young talented woman is pathetic.

[BoWanZi]

34. She has a pretty voice, but I didn't like the inflections she imposed on the song...

... they just didn't sound right to my untrained ears. I am a traditionalist and just like the anthem in its "normal" way.

[DaveinJapan]

36. Wonder if they'd complain about this one too...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKCVS57j284

Oh, sure. I'm certain some folks out there would also consider this "messing with the song", or "disrespectful", but for me they knocked it out of the park and it's my second favorite version ever (after Marvin, of course).

As for the clip, I'd say the beginning wasn't a stylistic choice at all, she seemed nervous and her pitch was bad as was her rhythm. As she progressed, she got much better (I agree with others, she has a very pretty voice!) and I didn't consider it to be particularly over the top or anything like that (I've heard MUCH more funky versions, including by singing stars at political and governmental events).

Oh well. I say if they want to hear the "traditional" version they should go buy a Marine Corps CD or something and just hit "play". Why bother with live at all, if everyone is supposed to interpret it exactly the same way?

[Phentex]

46. Agreed. Here's hound dog Justin Timberlake's version...

I think the girl was better!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVcS_a2co7A&feature=related

[DireStrike]

57. Why bother with live?

I agree, I usually cringe when I have to stand around listening to the anthem at some event. Mostly because it takes so damn long.

Of course, I cringe again when there is significant divergence in the tune. I don't think anthems should be "interpreted". It grinds against your expectations. Even if you might have liked the new version better had you heard it first, it still sounds much worse than the original when you're expecting to hear a soaring note, and it's suddenly dropped to a dull monotone (or, really, any major change.)

After listening to the young lady, your example, and Timberlake, I like them in this order: Cactus cuties, Timberlake, Shai. I find what Shai did with streaming and gleaming sounds awful. Timberlake also had some head-shakingly odd changes but not as bad (well, he's a professional singer...) The girls are much harder to compare because there are 5 of them. They can include BOTH deviation AND the original song.

[Cirque du So-What]

37. Martinsville has a racist reputation

and incidents like this do nothing to rehabilitate that reputation.

http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2002/fall/in-hates-wake

[salin]

53. long-standing reputation

feel bad for those in the community who do not deserve such a rep... For the rest - Cirque is correct - this just perpetuates the rep.

[cbdo2007]

39. I can see why some people wouldn't like it.....the very first line and the first line

of the second verse just sound, really odd. The "Oh say can you see..." part is way off, and it's hard to tell if it's bad on purpose or on accident.

She's got a great voice and should just sing it the normal way.

[malletgirl02]

42. Opera Singer

I wonder how they react if they had some opera singer sing the anthem. The Star Spangled Banner is really hard to sing which is why there are so many strident renditions. The only people who can seem to handle singing it traditionally would be opera singers. However, I don't think the crowd would appreciate that.

[Recovered Repug]

48. You mean like this one?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrOBhRUP6JU&feature=related

[malletgirl02]

54. lol

The police creeping out with their hands over their hears, so funny.

[Bette Noir]

95. I sat in front of an opera singer at a public event that started with

the SSB. It was lovely.

As for the girl, I don't care how anyone sings, or doesn't sing, the SSB. I'm not into flag worship, and I'm ashamed on behalf of anyone who professes monotheism who is.

For the record, I haven't recited the Pledge of Allegiance since I was six.

[Obamanaut]

44. Why do so many who do the anthem at sporting events insist on multiple

trills, warbles, and runs?

Traditional is fine.

Also, why must it be done at every event?

[GreenArrow]

100. Because they can, I suppose.

But, simply having a good or strong voice doesn't make for good singing.

[boston bean]

45. maybe I'm tone deaf or something

but the way she sang it was just fine and in the tradition if you ask me.

And who the fuck cares if it wasn't traditional anyways?

[Iggo]

47. If you don't like the way she sings it, get somebody else, dipshits.

"We want you to perform it, but we want you to do it like that other guy over there."

"Well, why don't you just get that other guy?"

"Um..."

[OneGrassRoot]

50. "unrecognizable" -- idiots. n/t

[LibertyLover]

51. I have to admit being conflicted on this

on one hand performers should be able to interpret a song any way they like, but on the other, being a citizen of Maryland and living not too far from Fort McHenry, I get tired of hearing all the really badly sung versions of the Star Spangled Banner. It's not a dirge, it's not a hymn, it's not a spiritual - it's a drinking song with kind of a peppy tempo.

[Stevenmarc]

55. On a scale of 1-10 for torturing this song with vocal acrobatics this hits about a 4

[ceile]

58. Beautiful voice.

I liked it. Get tired of hearing it sung the same way over and over again...

[Lance_Boyle]

59. Yeah, she did slightly better than Roseanne, but c'mon

can't we just have the instrumental version (sure, even Jimi's) and be done with it? The warbling and screeching and trying to shatter glass with vibrato are ANNOYING AS HELL!

[Codeine]

61. I hate it when people oversing any song.

The constant warbling inflections just sound dumb.

[MilesColtrane]

90. Yep

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/hl-9890159/the_simpsons_bleeding_gums_star_spangled_banner_season_2/

There's a line between expressing yourself and fulfilling your audiences expectations that every singer treads.

When the anthem is sung at public events, the idea is that it is a communal experience that everyone can recognize and even sing along with, not an opportunity to showboat your chops at the expense of the song.

(Her version in the video, after she was asked to modify it, is fine. Although, I would have like to have heard her not deviate from the original melody at the cadence points.)

[lame54]

62. Like Hendrix's Star Spangled Banner - Now an American classic

[cbdo2007]

98. ha ha, she is NOT Hendrix!! Not all "artistic expression" is good,

They aren't looking for artistic expression, it's a high school basketball game.

[MattBaggins]

63. "disrespectful to current and former members of the military"

Oh Jesus H Christ on a boat hitch; I am a vet of Dessert Storm with ten years of service and I am so sick and tired of hearing this bullshit line. I don't need any right wing whackadoodles protecting me and deciding what offends me or disrespects me.

If you're a right wing nut job, and you find yourself about to utter this phrase; do me a favor and just shut your skull cave.

Thank you, and as always, have a great day.

[Posteritatis]

80. Caught that too, huh?

I was also wondering what relevance revering the American military had to a high school sporting event.

[krabigirl]

66. Ugh, who cares? It is just a song. People are so wrapped up in nationalism.

[JitterbugPerfume]

68. that is a beautiful child with a beautiful voice

My state embarasses me

[oberliner]

69. There is no "flap" - it's been resolved

An Indiana school principal has apologized to one of his students and her family after they protested that she’d been told to sing the Star-Spangled Banner in a more “traditional” way.

The formal apology by Bloomington High School North principal Jeff Henderson was made public after a nearly two-hour meeting with student Shai Warfield-Cross, her family and other supporters.

The girl says Henderson also has agreed to introduce her the next time she sings the anthem before an athletic event, and she’ll perform it in her own style.

[Enthusiast]

77. Nice voice! Attractive young lady too.

Anyone that got excited about this performance just do not have many real life issues to worry about. I think the complaints were racially motivated.

[fishwax]

81. what a stupid thing to complain about

I thought the rendition sounded fine, and while there were a few tweaks that I didn't particularly care for it was clearly not "unrecognizable." And the crowd reaction seemed rather enthusiastic.

But I see from one of the posts above that the school district has changed their own tune ...

[Lucian]

82. I don't understand why they do the national anthem at any sporting event.

It's really annoying. The sporting event has nothing to do with the government.

[AngryOldDem]

89. It's not only at sporting events.

We had tickets to the local philharmonic and after 9/11 they began every concert with The Star Spangled Banner.

And always, I thought of the Horst Wessel Song as they played -- where was all this "patriotism" BEFORE 9/11?

[shimmergal]

91. Wow.

We used to live less than a mile from Bloomington North H.S.

Martinsville--less than 20 miles away--is one of the most racist towns in the state. Up through the late 90s (when we moved away from Bloomington) Martinsville was so bad that we worried when a black member of our writers' group had to drive through there on her way to our conference, It's not a place where any African American would want to be caught with car trouble, let alone having to stay overnight.

So my guess is the principal just wanted to make sure nothing happened that could agitate the local racist kooks. It sounds like everything's been worked out by now. As for pro or con on the musical styles, I suppose it might make a difference whether or not the crowd expected to "sing along." But usually, any version is OK with me.

[underpants]

99. VIDEO - she sounds GREAT on a PA system in a basketball gym - tingles up my spine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KVQUjxrgrM

[Warren DeMontague]

101. I have to say, I think the classic, traditional versions are far and away superior. Like this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImuLiDsv3Pk

[ClassWarrior]

104. The melody was taken from an old English drinking song. And pretty much sucks.

Whatever someone can do to improve the pompous, windy tune and the tortured phrasing is appreciated by me.

:patriot:

NGU.

[marmar]

106. +1000

The "traditional" Star-Spangled Banner is about as enjoyable to listen to as nails scraping a chalkboard.