My very first Vikings Game

As a performer you would think that when you are asked to sing the National Anthem it’s a simple request, we all know the song, have heard it a million times. But when you go to an event, there is always that one person you meet that wants to share the story of how a performer forgot the words or left out a line. This is when doubt sets in. Do I know the words, will I start on the right note, will the echo in the stadium make me lose my place etc... I love singing the Anthem of our country, it is a great honor each time I am asked to perform this moving tribute. But this time, I felt that nervousness in my stomach…


I was scheduled to perform the Anthem at the Minnesota Vikings home game on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. It was my first time attending a Vikings game, singing the National Anthem at a professional NFL football game, and singing in front of 65,000 plus fans.



My family and I woke up early and we where off to the Mall of America Field by 9 AM for my sound check rehearsal. The Vikings made me feel so welcomed, with the special parking pass which allowed me to park my car close to the stadium in their VIP parking lot. I met my contact Ren in the player’s entrance inside the dome. As Ren explained the plan for the day, she surprised my family and me with ten tickets for one of the box suites along with tickets for the Viking VIP lounge, and meal vouchers for the game. My Family also had access to go down on the field and take pictures as the Vikings came out of the tunnel for warm ups before the game. This made my Dad and Brother Sean very happy!



My Brother and Dad on the field before the game!



Heading to the rehearsal, Ren took us through the tunnel the players come through before the game. I was hoping to get a glimpse of Brett Favre! Now I know I sang the National Anthem at the Twins Game in the summer at the Mall of America Field but for some reason it looked a million times bigger this time around. I met up with the sound guys and I recognized them since working with them at the Gopher Game, and Twins Game. This made things easier because they knew I had a handle on how things worked at a professional sporting event. This was the first time I was given headphones to wear while singing, this way I would not get distracted by the large echo in the stadium. It made singing the Anthem effortless. I felt really good after the rehearsal, the nerves had not hit me yet.



Ren then took my family and me up to the VIP Vikings Lounge, where they had a HUGE buffet. I’m glad my family was able to enjoy it because I have a hard time singing on a full stomach. To pass the time we brought the board game, Blokus. I know what you are thinking… you brought a board game to the Vikings game? Well, we still had about 2 hours until I needed to go down to the field… and my brother Sean and I had unfinished business from the night before.



I have performed the National Anthem over 100 times, and I have noticed a theme. Every time I sing there is at least one person who reminds me not to forget the words. Luckily at the Mall of America Field, they play the words on the screen for the audience (and for the singers just in case!)

At 30 minutes till kick off, it was time to head to the field. As I waited to sing, I watched the football players warm up only a few feet away from me. I could see Brett Favre, and Jared Allen preparing for the game. Then all of a sudden the linemen came out… and the ground shook. These men were HUGE. My mouth just dropped as I watched them run past me.

I was able to meet Mr. Zygi Wilf, the owner of the Vikings and snapped a few pictures with him. I told Mr. Wilf about the Miss America Organization, and he said he would be watching for me!




Now 10 minutes away from singing the National Anthem… and the nerves are setting in. As a singer I think it is healthy to get nervous before you sing. You are then able to channel that nervous energy towards your performance. I must admit I never felt this nervous before an event. I knew the words, I knew I could hit the notes… but singing in front of your high school football team is much different then singing in front of 65,000 Viking Fans and Adrian Peterson.

As I walked towards the field, I gripped my pitch pipe in one hand and my microphone in the other. When I reached the 50-yard line I knew it was only moments away. I played my starting note on my pitch pipe and then hummed it until it was time to sing. Then I was told to wait one more minute. So I played my note again, and hummed. And played my note again, and hummed. And played my note again, and hummed. And played my note one more time and hummed. At this time the sound guys were trying not to laugh, but I knew if I did not start on the right note… it would only be down hill from there.

Then the camera crew approached me and their camera was 4 feet in front of me, and I got the 30-second warning. I played my pitch pipe for the last time, and hummed until it was time. As I started to sing, all my nerves went away, any doubts I had disappeared , and I was worry free. After the first line, I could not help but smile. I was singing the National Anthem at a Minnesota Vikings game. When I reached the high note “The Bombs bursting in air,” I could hear the fireworks go off around me. Then the cheers came, and they grew louder, and louder. I could live in that moment forever.






As I headed back to the sidelines, I looked up and there was Adrian Peterson standing right in front of me. He smiled, shook my hand, told me I did a great job, and said I was magnificent. I wished him a good game, as I smiled from ear to ear. Right behind him was Brad Childress, the Vikings Head Coach, and he told me great job as well. I was almost back to my parents when I saw Adrian Peterson shaking my father’s hand. I thought my dad was going to pass out right then and there. My brother Sean was in awe as he saw the star football player just inches away from him. (Merry Christmas guys!)


We were then escorted up to our suite where we met up with our good friends, The Petersons. We had called them to join us when we found out we had a suite! The Vikings won 35-9, and have a solid record of 9-1!







Here is Video of the National Anthem, thanks to Ms. Peterson for catching this for me!



Twin Cities Communication Council
Earlier in the week I had the opportunity to speak in front of the Twin Cities Communication Council with Minnesota’s very own Miss America Dorothy Benham. I spoke on behalf of the Miss Minnesota Organization and Children’s Miracle Network. Dorothy and I both sang, and it was quite an honor to perform with her.



Toast of the Town
Last Thursday I attended the Toast of the Town, which is a fundraiser for Normandale Community College. It was the final night of a 12-week long fundraiser. I was invited to present the check and announce the winner who raised the most money. Since the theme was On the Town, I was asked to sing a song from Broadway. I performed the song “On My Own” from Les Misérables. The Foundation raised over $100,000!


Father-Daughter dance at the Convent of the Visitation School
On Saturday, I was asked to emcee the Father-Daughter dance for the Convent of the Visitation School, which is the sister school to St. Thomas Academy where my older brother Mike graduated, and younger brother Sean is currently attending. My dad came with me to the event and we had a blast. I announced all the seniors, sang the song “Hero” and visited with some familiar faces.

This week I will be spending most of my time preparing for the CD Release Party scheduled this weekend. Please come and enjoy a free holiday concert featuring music by Select Three, former Miss Minnesota Jo Bender, and me as we perform in the Best Buy Rotunda at the Mall of America from 1-3 PM on Sunday, November 29. We will be selling CD’s and proceeds will benefit Children’s Miracle Network!



Here is the photo that my Dad took when Adrian Peterson shook my hand... He must have been a tad too excited :)



Happy Thanksgiving,

Always
Brooke