Posted by John Culley on March 28, 2006 at 19:41:23:
I think that one reason young people don't sing the National Anthem is that most popular music cannot be sung efficiently by folks standing around the piano (whoever does that anymore???)or around the supper table or around a campfire. Therefore, so many young people have no experience in group singing.
Another reason, I feel, is that at sporting events and other venues where the National Anthem is performed, the venue authority asks people to sing the anthem who will so often "rewrite" the music. There almost seems to be a competition among singers to see who can put the most embellishments in the National Anthem.
Occasionally, a band will play the National Anthem as bands played it for years. With such an accompaniment it is possible for folks to join in and sing the anthem. One doesn't have to guess where the next note might be while trying to sing along with a "rewriter."
It is ironic that the best rendition of the National Anthem I have heard in a long time... one that was easy to sing with... was played by the band of the Welsh Guards on a USA tour. It was wonderful to hear so many people singing the Anthem. This,in spite of the fact that it was a British band leading the singers and not an band from the USA.
Sincerely,
John Culley