Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — Four hours of the "Star-Spangled Banner." Over and over again.
That's what six judges, including Kurt Bestor (Utah composer), Dan Roberts (Jazz public address announcer), and Carly Robbins (Jazz director for game operations) faced during the Utah Jazz's annual National Anthem auditions for the 2015-16 season, which took place Friday at EnergySolutions Arena.
At each home game, 44 in total, the Jazz have a new and different performer to give their rendition of the national anthem before the game. About 250 different renditions were performed Friday at ESA, giving each individual performer limited odds at making the cut. Furthermore, another 50 or so auditions were sent in electronically, for people who couldn't make to the auditions in person.
"It's a high bar," said Robbins.
The renditions are all different too. In the first-come, first-served order of auditions, you may hear a Tabernacle choir member, followed by a Polynesian family, followed by a deep operatic male tenor, followed by an 11-year-old girl, followed by a school group, followed by an aspiring country singer.
Comparing the different styles can be difficult, but the Jazz want a variety of performances to keep season ticket holders interested over the 44 games. Each of the judges makes notes on each of the performers and chooses a few they'll vouch for in the selection process. Then the tape is reviewed, and occassionally, they'll even bring people back for second auditions.
Stacie Scott/Deseret News
One style they don't have enough of, according to Robbins: instrumental renditions. "We love instrumentals," said Robbins. "We don't get very many."
But for those standard solo singers, Robbins says, "We really look for pitch, people who know the words, but we also want a really strong singer, someone who can really belt it out. We've got 20,000 people who want to hear what they're singing, so really strong singing helps."
It's a nerve-racking thing, especially for those soloists. Going up in front of those judges and beginning to sing a song renowned as being very difficult sometimes causes a shortness of breath, one that makes some pause or start over. But it doesn't get any easier when performing in front of 20,000 fans for the real thing.
The participants in Friday's auditions will find out if they made the cut by email, decisions may take up to three weeks, the Jazz said. Once someone's selected, they have to perform the same version live that they performed for the judges: no extra frills added on later.
But even if you're one of the approximately 200 singers who don't get to perform at ESA next season, don't be disappointed, says Robbins.
"Anyone that comes to audition, they're really putting themselves out there. That says a lot about somebody whether they have a great voice or not."
