SPMS Varsity Choir Sings National Anthem At Camden Yards

The Baltimore Orioles’ playoff hopes may have been dashed in July, but on September 12, more than 25 members of the Severna Park Middle School varsity choir belted out a World Series-quality rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Camden Yards before the start of the Orioles’ baseball game versus the Athletics.

The varsity choir first sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” during Severna Park Middle School’s remembrance of the victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting on March 14, 2018. The idea to sing the anthem at Camden Yards came from that beautiful rendition.

Sara Metcalf, choir director and music teacher, submitted a video audition to the Orioles organization. Once the choir received word that their submission was accepted, they practiced over the summer to ensure they were pitch-perfect for their performance. Camden Yards was the largest venue to date for the choir.

“The students were thrilled to have the opportunity to represent Severna Park Middle School at such an amazing venue, and honored to show their respect and patriotism,” said Andrea Ranaghan, varsity choir chairperson.

“It felt great to perform in front of all my sports idols because I’m a huge Orioles fan,” said Tyler Zachry, an eighth-grade student. “I’ve been a part of varsity choir for two years and I feel so lucky that I got to do this with them.”

Fellow eighth-grader Gianna Dicks enjoyed going to the game and singing with her friends. “Varsity choir is a really welcoming and supportive environment,” she said. “Mrs. Metcalf is great and everyone is genuinely happy to be there.”

Performing the national anthem was the culmination of a successful year for the Severna Park Middle School varsity choir. Under the direction of Sara Metcalfe, the 2017-2018 varsity choir achieved superior ratings at various chorus festivals.

At the Music in the Parks competition in Williamsburg, Virginia, the choir earned first place in its middle school mixed choir division, and notched the overall high score in the middle school choir division, an honor the group has achieved for three consecutive years. Its 2017 win at Music in the Parks received an unprecedented, near perfect score of 99.25.

“The best thing about singing is being able to put your feelings into the music. Music is universal, and it speaks to everyone,” said Emily Ranaghan, an eighth-grade student. “Singing the national anthem was one of my proudest moments. It’s something that brings us all together as Americans.”

The young crooners will perform at the Eastern Division Conference of the National Association for Music Education in Pittsburgh on April 5, 2019. One hundred and seventy choirs applied and only 20 were invited.

Varsity choir practices at least once per week, however, leading up to a performance or competition, the choir practices as often as three per week, both before and after school.