Going Out on a High Note.

Posted By Cliff Tuttle | February 14, 2011

No. 579

There has been a great deal of discussion of Christina Agulara’s multi-faceted poor performance of the Star Spangled Banner in Dallas. Sally Kalson wrote a full article about it in the Post Gazette this Sunday.

Miss A. usually gets a pass around here for musical mediocrity because she grew up in the neighborhood. Super Bowl XLV was no exception.  Local news commentators have attempted to excuse her on the grounds that Our National Anthem is difficult to sing and many others have done worse at public exhibitions.  No doubt, but no excuse.

Yes, it is hard for you and me to hit those notes on pitch.  So what?  There are millions of Americans with a modicum of voice training who can do it.  The whole cast of Glee can do it.  The cantors and choir members at my church can do it.

Why then, do so many celebrity vocalists fail this test? As Learned Hand, a great judge, once wrote: “To ask the question is to answer it.”

Next time, hold auditions. Performers with a voice range of one octave or a tin ear will be quickly culled.

CLT

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CLIFF TUTTLE has been a Pennsylvania lawyer for over 45 years and (inter alia) is a real estate litigator and legal writer. The posts in this blog are intended to provide general information about legal topics of interest to lawyers and consumers with a Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania focus. However, this information does not constitute legal advice and there is no lawyer-client relationship created when you read this blog. You are encouraged to leave comments but be aware that posted comments can be read by others. If you wish to contact me in privacy, please use the Contact Form located immediately below this message. I will reply promptly and in strict confidence.

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