Mary Rose was the first person to audition at the Lakewood BlueClaws’ national anthem tryouts that were held at the Monmouth Mall, Eatontown, on March 28. NICOLE ANTONUCCI I n a scene reminiscent of “American Idol,” auditioners lined up recently for the chance to eventually belt out “The Star-Spangled Banner” at a Lakewood BlueClaws game.
The national anthem tryouts for the 2012 baseball season were held at the Monmouth Mall, Eatontown, on March 28, and more than 50 hopefuls of varying ages performed in front of a panel of three judges, vying for one of the 15 spots available.
“I always wanted to sing at the Blue- Claws,” Joe Sramaty, 20, of Forked River, said. “I have sung this at multiple places, but I always wanted to sing at a [Blue- Claws] game.”
Carly Sica, 11, of Manahawkin, already fulfilled that dream last year, but that did not stop her from trying out again.
“I sang at the June 6, 2011, game,” she said .
Carly said even though she had performed at a game last summer, she was still a bit nervous at the audition.
“I was nervous right before I sang, though I was more nervous last year,” she said .
Upon arriving at the auditions, each person checked in and received a numbered card and a goody bag filled with coupons.
Then the auditioners lined up in number order around a small area that served as a stage for the event.
Each person took a turn, with the judges rating them on a scale of one to five based on confidence, style, correct lyrics and whether the anthem was sung on key.
In addition to the scorecard, each judge was looking for a special quality that would set the performance apart from the others.
“I want someone who is going to wow the 6,000 fans who are in attendance at one of our games,” judge Adam Giardina said.
Judges Devon Haloway and Andrew Pittman were looking for confidence.
“I want someone with some energy, excitement, someone who will just have fun with it, an entertainer at heart, which I know many of these kids are,” Pittman said.
According to Lisa Carone, director of inside sales for the BlueClaws, the winners were to be selected at a later date, but would ultimately be chosen by the judges, who are employees of the minor league baseball team which is an affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies.
“Anyone who does not make the cut will be kept on file in case we have an opening in any of the 70 (home games),” she said.
Everyone who auditions is a contender, regardless of age or rendition of the musical score.
“One year we had a 4-year-old trumpet player and another year an elderly gentleman sang,” Carone said. “There are a lot of talented people out there.” Each person made the anthem his or her own, including 11-year-old Allie Beekman, of Neptune, who performed it on her flute.
“I have been playing the flute since last year and it’s something I am good at,” Allie said. “I think it would be much harder to sing, at least for me.”
Some people decided to show their abilities in a group, like Brick Township residents Tommy Gedrich, 12, Hannah Scarpelli, 13, and Brittany Byrne, 13.
“We thought it would be fun to team up,” the youngsters said after completing their audition. “We like playing with different harmonies.”
Some people say that Francis Scott Key’s work is a difficult song to perform, but that thought was far from the mind of Mary Rose, 9, of Ocean Gate, who was the first person to step in front of the judges.
“I like singing it,” she said. “It makes me feel strong.”