Recently a Caps fan sent an email to the head of the Alexandria Singers concerning their rendition of O Canada. Here was their response which Bill Colosimo said I could publish on my blog.
Thank you for taking the time to (apparently) look us up on the web to get an email contact address to voice your concerns over the performance of "O, Canada" by the Alexandria Singers before the Washington Capitals game on March 1. As I am the Music Director of the Singers, I am writing to express my regret that you found our performance of the Canadian Anthem to be unsatisfactory. First, let me assure you that the arrangement of "O Canada" to which you refer, sung in four parts by a mixed chorus (SATB), has been crafted in very standard choral fashion, with careful attention to respectful treatment of the piece’s beautiful melody and stirring lyric. It is paced appropriately (as a stentorian, respectful anthem, hardly out of character with the standard solo/melody of the performance), and is VERY much in line with many other choral and band/orchestra arrangements of the piece…many as performed by some of Canada’s own fine musical organizations. Second, let me assure you that I, personally, and the Singers by-and-large, intend our performance of ANY nation’s "treasured music" to be respectfully and beautifully performed, with a clearly defined (and listenable) attention to the cherished melody; hardly "cute," or "creative," as you suggest. I shudder at ANY country’s anthem being mauled by today’s "stars" at sporting events, as I’m sure you do. This arrangement was chosen expressly with that in mind, I assure you. Third, as you are correct in recalling that this is the second consecutive year we’ve been privileged to sing O Canada and The Star Spangled Banner at a Caps game, I am gratified that we have received VERY positive feedback, both directly following the performance from those who have been attentive to our singing, and following our performance from those in attendance (including the staff of the Capitals) whose musical acumen we respect. Ironically, the bulk of the comments, highlighting the beauty of the arrangement and the care we give to not "butcher" the song(s), seem to directly contradict your opinion of both the arrangement and our performance. We are pleased, too, to serve the Washington Capitals organization and their fans, and are appreciative of their support in asking us to join them again. The anthems, by the way, are not "assigned" randomly; our organization, known for its fine performance reputation throughout the Washington area for over 30 years, still had to submit an audition recording some time ago to garner a spot to perform. Finally, I while I regret your assertion that we "show disrespect our neighbor" with our rendition (and while I obviously, but respectfully disagree!), I assure you that we intended to convey NOTHING but respect for both our Canadian friends and others in attendance. As an experienced director, clinician and advocate of vocal music nationwide–especially among youth, in whom I seek to instill a respect for music and the cultures represented–I am particularly sensitive to this issue, working hard to fulfill a mission of broadening appreciation for the vocal performing arts…which (and here’s where I heartily agree with you!) is stifled by other "artists" who seek to (truly) "butcher" anthems and other beautiful music with their "stylings." Although you may be a "solo voice" in your upset over our performance, please accept my apology for what you obviously considered an unpleasant musical experience. As you do not remark about our performance of the Star Spangled Banner (arranged and performed VERY similarly, I would add), I hope that, at least, you found some solace in that rendition. We were (and are) very proud of what we brought to the Verizon Center Saturday night…a tasteful, high-quality treatment of two "beautiful" (again, a point of agreement) songs. Oh, by the way…the Alexandria Singers, a 501.c.3 non-profit educational and charitable music organization (unlike many "artists" whose "butchering" of anthems garners them countless thousands of dollars!), PAID for our tickets (and sold an additional 50-60 seats, under the Caps’ generous "Pucks for Bucks" campaign) to raise money for our use throughout the year in bringing choral music to our Community. So, in addition to serving the Caps organization and its fans, our effort is philanthropic and educational as well. As a gesture of goodwill, it would be my pleasure to invite you and a guest to be MY guest at our next major performance of much-loved American Pops Music at Bishop Ireton High School’s Whaley Auditorium on June 21 or 22, "Singers Go To Summer Camp!" I would hope this might soften the blow, a bit, of our performance which, apparently, struck a sour chord with you. You can contact me at the email/phone below anytime and I’ll gladly set complimentary tickets aside at Will Call. Respectfully, Bill Colosimo–Music Director, The Alexandria Singers
Well, Jay… be careful what you write, and how you write it. You stepped up and said “the anthems were awful.” That sounds an awful lot like an opinion to me. (For that matter, so is “seconding an opinion,” which would imply that you were in accord with their observations.
If you’re going to say something like that (“the anthems were awful”), to anyone… then be prepared to defend it. At the very least, be helpful and offer something constructive.
Dear Mister Leonsis,
With all due respect, please bring pride back to the anthems at the Verizon Center. Having seen multiple discussions on your Mass Hysteria message boards for the Capitals and hearing the recent renditions by the Alexandria Singers, the lead singer from Virginia Coalition, an elementary school, and Betsy, I urge you to follow your own lead. You want our local Orioles fans to stop their horrid ruining of our Nation’s anthem, yet are happy to let singers come in and do such week after week.
I understand that you are only following a world wide trend of the bastardization of Mr. Key’s lyrics and John Stafford Smith’s beautiful melody. While Mr. Smith intended the song to be a drinking song, it sounds more and more like it every single day. I for one, find it to be a disgusting show of the movement from art and music to noise and a stoic view of world.
Our National Anthem should be sung with pride, and tell the story of “The Defense of Fort McHenry.” As a life long Marylander who believes Maryland is more than Football and Crabs, I believe that Maryland residents who take pride in saying “Oh” as a memory of their heritage, locality, and any other reason have more of a right to do so than for the creation cheesy arrangements, and the entrance of sour notes, poor singing, and pop inflections ever belong in our Nation’s Anthem.
As a trained classical musician in the area I know and respect the Alexandria Singers. While I find their choice in arrangement an error, I do not and would never disgrace what I have seen and heard them do musically. I was however inspired by the sacredness of “O Canada” to our neighbors. I could only wish for such pride in the “Star Spangled Banner.”
Andrew Poliakoff’s error in text let alone pitch, is enough for me to show his lack of preparation to sing the National Anthem. As a musician, I see this as a lack of pride in both his own instrument and for our nation. While we can possibly strike some errors to nerves, I would only be okay with it if it were not a trend in the arena.
When Betsy (pardon me for forgetting her last name) last sang the National Anthem I cringed, literally. I would pay a Season’s VIP Tickets to never hear her sing it again. While the performance is not in recent enough memory for me to give you specifics, I am sure you would tire from hearing the same complaints about pitch and pop inflections.
While I will refrain from complaining about an elementary school rendition, because I admire these children; I must ask if there was really any sound check done before the game, as if anything I blame the balance issues on amplification and not seven-year-olds.
I sent you an e-mail a few weeks ago asking if there were any opportunities for me to be able to sing the anthem at a Caps game. My e-mail went unanswered. I asked you for multiple reasons. I am a very big Caps fan, if not recent, although considering my age, recent is a more relative term for you. I wanted to share what I think to be a beautiful song, with a group of people whose pride in their Washington Capitals I really respect, even if they are “massively hysterical” sometimes. I also think it would be a great opportunity to represent my University with your recent Student Rush promotion.
I waited for a response from you with much excitement, and was only disappointed when you did not reply. But I chalked it up to being a busy and important man; which you are.
I was only renewed with excitement when I learned of the Anthem Idol Competition hosted by ESPNZone. I was however again thoroughly disappointed. While my disappointment is not in my defeat in the competition, but the utter gimmick the anthem was turned into. Forty-five contestants appeared, and by judgment only 15 could name a Capitals Team member. This was disappointment number one. I was later disappointed by the shear thought that singing songs by artists such as Avril Levin, could judge one’s ability to sing arguably the best national anthem in the world.
Our top five, had a medium age of about 16, and together the group could probably muster Ovechkin as the only Capitals player they could think of. While Capitals statistic knowledge does not a good musician make, I would have thought that if the gimmick card were to be played, Mr. Capital Spirit should have one the competition by a landslide. However, I know that Capital Spirit would have sang the National Anthem with pride and with every amount to the best of his abilities.
Instead we had five singers as finalists who sang in at least all 12 keys, an amazing feat of modulation that makes Bach turn over in his grave. Lesson learned, the only true test of being able to sing the National Anthem: singing the National Anthem.
While this entire letter sounds like a rant for my loss in this competition, I would like to vehemently express that had a singer that sang the anthem well and with pride won I would be not in the least bitter. I would, in fact, be proud of your choice as whomever the representative of your organization was at this event.
Upon singing, you’re representative commented on the respect I showed our National Anthem, in my attire and demeanor, something that was latter abandoned while an 11-year-old in a spaghetti strap shirt and skin tight jeans, who looked only mildly bulimic for an 11 year old, sang while her fan club, consisting also of inappropriately dressed 11-year-olds ran around unsupervised. Regardless, this 11-year-old sang her Avril Levine song well, but when the time came for her to sing the National Anthem I was sorely disappointed.
While, I continue to respect this 11-year-old for her talent and bravery. I must consider it an error in judgment of your representative(s) in their choices for finalists. The proof was in the pudding when they finally sung the song for which they were auditioning. I was optimistic when your representative pointed out from the get go the importance the Verizon Center placed on professionalism, however this quickly went to the wayside of the “Idol” gimmick.
Regardless, I would have listened to your teeny-bopper “Simon Cowell” chosen singer on Sunday, if it were not that I had a commitment to sing in Church for a similar higher calling. Which, for the record, would not have taken precedence over the opportunity to share our Great Nation’s Great Song with a sold out crowd and National audience.
Please send my regards to Bob McDonald and Caleb Greene whose renditions of the Star Spangled banner are more consistent than Ovie’s slapshot. Here is a quote for your outrageous e-mail blog entries: “Please sign Bob McDonald to a 90 million dollar 10 year deal to sing the National Anthem at Capitals games, only then can Baltimore take your request of getting the “Oh” out seriously.”
I recognize my letter is passionate, and for that reason at times over the top, but please recognize, my sentiment is entirely there.
Sincerely considering not getting Season Tickets, so that I don’t have to hear bad Anthems,
Brendan
Pucky Girl,
I’m not offering an opinion, I’m simply seconding the opinion of the letter writer whose thread on the Caps message boards preceded the email (I’m assuming). My intent was to discount the statement that the letter writer was the only one who felt that way. Check the Caps boards for the discussion.
Advice to Caps management: stick with Bob McDonald – he never fails to stir with his renditions.
I thought the rendition was wonderful and I consider the Alexandria Singers one of the best (if not the best) singing choral groups in our metropolitan area. As a full STH I hope they are invited back. Its nice to see decent groups up there from time to time…as for the guy last night at the Bruins game, I would not be heart broken NEVER to hear him again.
Jay,
Awful in what regard? Can you be a bit more specific? I’m sure your feedback would be taken seriously if you could offer a bit more insight to your opinion, instead of what “many, many people were saying.”
Pucky Girl
I wish I’d been able to hear the anthems. Sounds like a nice rendition of O Canada, which although I’m American, I really like. Here’s a question I’ve always wondered-If everyone is so turned off by the “stylings” of anthem singers (I call it butchering), why is it allowed by the arena managers? I would think that they audition singers prior to the games, even if they are not the regular anthem singers. I say, go back to tradition! This is not American Idol, people!!!
Sorry, I could not hear their rendition as the Toronto Fans were louder from where I was sitting (116).
But NR was adamant that they messed it up.
Concerning O-Canada from March 1st. It was a beautiful rendition. Too often I find a drawn out, jazzed up version. Saturday’s anthem by the choir was almost as good as Lyndon Slewidge’s of the Sernator’s. For the first time in a long time, I enjoyed hearing my national anthem south of the border. Also, congrats on deadline day and for disposing of the Bruins tonight. I really wish you guys had done that to the Leafs Sat. night. It’s lonely up here as a Caps fan and when the Leafs beat you I have to listen to the most ignorant hockey fans alive. Keep it up and make the playoffs!!!!!! Kick Buffalo’s ass on Wed. I’ll be watching on TSN. Go Caps Go!!!
He’s not a “solo voice in upset”. The anthems Saturday were awful, and many, many people were saying that where I was sitting for the game.
I was at that game. Thought they did great.