Purple Haze
Oh say can you sing?
By Elizabeth Thomas

September 16, 2010

You may recall from last week that I mentioned an activity called the “National Anthem Project”. This is something the Northern High School chorus began two years ago when people felt that lyrics should accompany the “The Star Spangled Banner” at home games. Many chorus students have taken advantage of this opportunity, and since then this project has continued with many benefits and achievements along the way.

Before a chorus student can sing in front of a crowd, that student must audition in front of their choir and director, Mrs. Laura Bissell. Some students prefer to go solo while others form groups and create well-blended harmonies. Since the chorus is separated into four sections based on the students’ range, known from highest to lowest as soprano, alto, tenor and bass, there are a few options if they want to form groups.
They can form duets, trios, or even quartets, which does make the experience less nerve-wracking. When the time comes to sing in front of the crowd, students use a pitch pipe to find their starting note, and they also sing a cappella, which means singing without instrumental accompaniment. Only seniors have been permitted to sing at the varsity football games.

The project was doing so well that the PIAA asked Northern to sing at their championships, which holds hundreds or even thousands of spectators. Students have traveled to places such as Shippensburg and even the Giant Center in Hershey to represent Northern’s musical talent and our country’s pride. For the students it was a phenomenal experience, and PIAA continues to invite Northern back as long as they are willing to sing. So whenever you come to a home game, be sure to applaud the students as they sing their final notes of “The Star Spangled Banner”. Remember how hard they practiced to be where they are, and remember the meaning of the words, “o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave”.