Every sporting event starts the same way, but it’s different every time.
“O say can you see, by the dawn’s early light, what so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming.”
Each event starts with the national anthem or “The Star Spangled Banner,” but each time it’s performed differently.
Malcolm students Elsa Schleining and Clara Ladman, both juniors, have sung the anthem for a variety of events. They were part of a group who sang at Memorial Stadium before the state high school football finals. And they performed together at state swimming and before a Nebraska softball game earlier this season.
“I didn’t think we’d be singing for a Husker game,” Ladman said.
One of teachers at Malcolm had a daughter who played and asked if the girls could send an audition tape.
They did and were selected to perform March 29 before the game against UCLA.
“I always get excited and riled up” until it’s time to sing, Schleining, a soprano, said. “To stand on home plate was cool and see all the red.”
Ladman, an alto, said a new place is always an adjustment.
“As soon as I saw it and warmed up, I felt calm and relaxed,” she said.
They said they didn’t hear much of an echo at Bowlin Stadium, not like Memorial Stadium across the road.
“That had a big echo difference,” Schleining said.
“It’s not such a dome shape,” Ladman added.
In a space that big, though, it can be hard to maintain the tempo. Ladman said they were able to stay with each other, using their eyes and heads to communicate the rhythm.
In addition to the anthem, the girls have sung at Malcolm home games and performed a duet for a concert.
“Our voices sound good together,” Schleining said.
Ladman originally sang with another classmate but said vocal teacher Michael Beach put the two together.
“We could have so much potential together,” Ladman said.
The arrangement of “The Star Spangled Banner” that they sing is in a different key from most versions. They learned it by listening to recordings.
“I’ve been singing forever and it will always be in my life,” Schleining said.
Ladman said she enjoys listening to a variety of music but especially likes musical theater like Les Miserables. Schleining enjoys musical theater, as well – The Phantom of the Opera is her favorite.
Singing isn’t the only activity the two are involved in. Schleining is also in band, speech, one act, cross country, choir, student council and National Honor Society. Ladman is in volleyball, track, National Honor Society, student council, one act and choir.
