So You Think You Can Sing?

Not quite as good as Whitney Houston, but better than Rosanne Barr?

Then you've got a chance at singing the National Anthem for one of Essex County's minor league baseball teams—the NJ Jackals.

The Jackals perform at Yogi Berra Stadium on the Montclair State University campus and the team's season is right around the corner.

This Saturday, the team is holding auditions for soloists and groups to perform the National Anthem this summer.

Auditions begin on Saturday, April 14, at 10 a.m.

Auditions will take place at Yogi Berra Stadium on the campus of Montclair State University.

Here are some tips for performers from the organizers:

• You should be prepared to perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” using our microphone. 
• For singers, we look for good clear tone, the right words (assuming it is being sung), the right tune, and a finish in 90 seconds or less, which is easy to do if the anthem is performed as written—without any "melisma."
• Instrumentalists need to only worry about playing the right tune! 
• There are also some opportunities for performances of “O Canada”.  You can audition for one anthem or both anthems. 
• Individuals, groups, and instrumentalists of all kinds are encouraged to audition.
• If you cannot make the auditions, a YouTube video or even an audio only version may be submitted, but the person auditioning needs to make arrangements in advance to do that. 
• After the auditions, those chosen will be notified by email.

For more information, contact Barbara Rudy at the NJ Jackals at: Barbara.Rudy@comcast.net.

Rudy encourages aspiring singers and musicians to give it a try. "It’s a really good experience for anyone who wants to perform—doing the anthem at a ball game is a real rush."