Community Corner

Storm Stadium Gets Patriotic During National Anthem Auditions

More than 100 Anthem hopefuls auditioned for a chance to sing the "Star Spangled Banner" before a Storm home game.

“Oh say can you see by the dawn’s early light …”

That iconic song was belted out more than 100 times Saturday afternoon at as singers and musicians from across the Southland auditioned for a chance to lead the National Anthem before a Storm home game.

The season opens April 7, and there are more than 50 games scheduled at home. Many of Saturday's performers will be selected to perform during the season, but Storm staff said they would hold off on making any final decisions.

Find out what's happening in Lake Elsinore-Wildomarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"We look at a lot of factors," said the Storm's Tracy Kessman. "We will contact people throughout the season."

Anthem hopefuls ranged in age from 8 years old to silver-haired senior citizens. They stood on the field, microphone in hand, and sang the “Star Spangled Banner” a cappella in front of a few hundred supportive family and friends who cheered from the Diamond stands.

Find out what's happening in Lake Elsinore-Wildomarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Saturday’s auditions, which also included a few instrumentals, were only scheduled to last for two hours, but the overflow of Anthem performers forced overtime at the Diamond.

Twelve-year-old Menifee resident Kyle Davis was one of many young performers to take the field Saturday afternoon. Facing the crowd with just an electric guitar in hand, he played the Anthem and threw in the wah effect made so popular by Jimi Hendrix during a “Star Spangled Banner” rendition performed at Woodstock over 40 years ago.

The crowd rewarded the youngster with loud cheers, but in true rock-star fashion Kyle acknowledged the applause afterward and then quietly slipped away from the flashing cameras.

Eight-year-old Irvine resident Samuel Santiago used his voice to propel the audience. Hitting the high notes with intensity, he was a natural. According to his biggest fans (mom and other family members), Samuel has been performing since he was 4, and has sung the Anthem at several high school and college sports venues.

Temecula mother-and-daughter duo Esther and Lily Dernbach also wowed the crowd. Although Lily is only 8, she’s had exposure to years of vocal training thanks to her mother, who teaches singing in the Temecula Valley Unified School District and is also a private voice coach.

Like a professional, Lily hit her marks during the performance and said afterward, “I wasn’t nervous at all.”

Esther explained the confidence. “She told me, ‘If I forget the words, I’ll just rely on you.’”


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here