PHOENIX

Star-spangled spotlight: Phoenix Suns host national-anthem tryouts

Kayla King-Sumner
The Republic | azcentral.com
Moranda Smith, 8, was one of up to 100 people who auditioned on Sept. 12, 2016, to sing the national anthem at one of the Suns' home games.

More than 60 singers served up their versions of "The Star-Spangled Banner" on Monday for a chance to perform the national anthem at a Phoenix Suns' home game in the upcoming NBA season.

The franchise hosted open auditions before a panel of judges at Talking Stick Resort Arena in downtown Phoenix. Judges reinforced throughout that each contestant should perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” in his or her own style.

Phoenix Suns game-presentation coordinator Jeraldine Salais said selected singers would supplement other scheduled performers during the team's 44 home games.

Military veteran Daryl Davis soulfully belted out each note of the anthem with a deep-baritone voice.

Davis said the national anthem evokes debate and curiosity in his mind. He says he holds the more than 200-year-old song close to his heart.

Davis' passion for music started early: He grew up singing in his church choir and faintly recalls as a toddler sitting with his father next to the stereo, listening to the iconic R&B singer Lou Rawls.

After serving in the military, the meaning of the national anthem expanded for 50-year-old Davis.

“I would probably salute after doing the national anthem,” he said.

Davis, an African-American veteran, says he remains conflicted about the national-anthem protest of NFL player Colin Kaepernick, the San Francisco 49ers quarterback who refused to stand for the playing of the national anthem in protest of what he deems are wrongdoings against African-Americans and other minorities in the United States.

"We have problems in this country about how we treat people of color,” said Davis. “If you don't have money, or you're not represented, then you have a hard time."

Military veteran Daryl Davis auditions.

'It signifies the liberty in America'

Chase Bank call-center assistant Mary Grace Lim, 25, thanked the judging panel for the opportunity to audition before singing.

Lim says she sought music as a path to acceptance and happiness when she first immigrated to the U.S. from the Philippines in the early 2000s. She now writes her own love songs.

"Singing the national anthem, it means a lot in that I can represent the country in this way," said Lim. “It signifies the liberty in America.”

She joined her first choir as a child in the Philippines, and Lim says that was where she first discovered her love for music. The Philippines does not place as much of a focus on musical arts as it does education, Lim said.

"Even though I'm just a resident in the U.S. — I'm not a full citizen yet — this has been home,” she said.

She laughed as she recalled confusing the national anthem with other traditional anthems in her initial years of living in the U.S.

"Me and my friend Amanda were supposed to sing the national anthem for a duet, and we started off singing 'Amazing Grace.' "

Now, she says the national anthem empowers her as a symbol of liberty in America.

She says football player Colin Kaepernick has that same liberty.

"In any case, I think it's the same as if somebody was kneeling down for their religion ... for their beliefs,” said Lim. “If somebody feels so strongly about that, then I think it's only natural to do that."

Mary Grace Lim safety-pins her number before the audition.

Pursuing her dreams

Third-grade student Moranda Smith, no more than 4 feet tall, was one of the youngest singers vying for a spot.

She auditioned last year (she was 7 years old) and didn’t make it past the first audition, so she spent a year training at East Valley Children's Theatre to build her performance skills.

Her mother, Janel Smith, says she’s proud of Moranda for pursuing her dreams and refusing to give up since she has such a big voice for a small girl.

"She loves performing,” Janel Smith said. ”She's been singing on our coffee table as a stage for years, so I'm just trying to get her off the coffee table and onto an actual stage."

Suns officials said some contestants would know Monday if they are selected to sing the national anthem before a home game, and others would receive notice sometime during the basketball season. The 2016-17 NBA regular season begins Oct. 25.