Audition to Perform the National Anthem

Are you interested in performing the National Anthem during the commencement ceremony? The Commencement Planning Committee is looking for a student or group of students to perform the national anthem (The Star Spangled Banner) and Black national anthem (Lift Every Voice and Sing) at Commencement 2025. 

Requirements 

Submit a video recording of you (or your group) singing/performing The Star Spangled Banner and/or Lift Every Voice and Sing in its entirety. The submission deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday, June 6, 2025 to commencement@seattlecolleges.edu.    

Along with your video, you must answer the following questions:  

• Have you performed this song before? 
• Have you performed in front of large audiences?  If so, how large? 
• Will you be singing acapella or with a background track? 
• If you are playing an instrument, what are your microphone needs?  
• Are you available to practice Alaska Arena (Date TBD)? This practice is only for the performer(s), not for all graduates. 
• Are you available to attend soundcheck on Commencement Day on Friday, June 21 at 11 a.m. at Alaska Arena?

Selection Process 

Submissions will be reviewed by the Commencement National Anthem Subcommittee, comprised of staff and faculty planning Commencement 2024. 

A performer or group of performers for each song will be chosen based on the following criteria. 

• Performance: stage presence and connection  
• Quality: vocal/instrumental sound, diction, and rhythmic interpretation  
• Experience: ease of performance and comfort in a large setting/audience  

Selection Deadline  

Selected student or students will be informed on Wednesday, June 11. 

View Previous Performances

Chris Sicard sang The Star-Spangled Banner and JeMonica Stoudamire sang Lift Every Voice and Sing for our 2023 ceremony. Note: the video below is cued to start with these performances.