It’s a drinking song. Not a funeral dirge.
This is not your song. It is our song. Try to assert ownership over the anthem? It will own you.
Don’t go overboard with the embellishments unless you’re sure you can handle them.
Don’t choose a key that shows off your range. Pick something that you can powerhouse through, not stretch to.
The person leading the anthem should know what the words mean. That means they should probably be old enough for high school at the youngest. Seriously, your kidlet is cute, but doesn’t have the chops yet. Keep em singing. But not that, yet.
Know where the flag is. Sing toward that.
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