Local talent shines at anthem auditions

"It's just one of many dreams," said 15-year-old Jimmy Edwards about why he took the stage Saturday in the middle of Potomac Mills mall in Woodbridge to sing the National Anthem.

"I love to sing," the Manassas Park resident said. "I saw it in the newspaper and thought it would be a really good opportunity."

The "it" Edwards referred to was an advertisement to tryout for a slot to sing the anthem before a Potomac Nationals baseball game. The team is scheduled for 70 home games this year, said Susanna Hall, public relations manager for the P-Nats, and "we need someone to sing at each."

This was Hall's first year participating in the tryout; by 11 a.m., she said, a total of 47 hopefuls had either pre-registered or signed the walk-in list to sing.

That level of turnout was comparatively "pretty good," said Anthony Oppermann, assistant general manager of marketing and media for the P-Nats.

Still, they didn't need to find 70 different singers from this one Saturday tryout. Some slots are already taken by return singers, and by the likes of choirs and school performers, he said.

"In terms of judging, we're not looking for the next American Idol," Oppermann said. "We judge on voice, clarity, charisma… but we're basically looking for singers who can somewhat carry a tune and be able to sing in front of 2,500 to 3,000 people without getting too nervous."

Sarah Mason from Arlington may only be 11-years-old, but she believed she fit that criteria.

"I'm a little nervous, I didn't know they were going to do this with the stage and every-thing," she said, moments before she was due on stage. "But I love to sing, and I've always wanted to do this."

To Tammy Turner, from Baltimore, patriotism was a factor.

"I love to sing, I absolutely love to sing, and I love this country," she said. "Any opportunity I would have to sing the National Anthem … I'm going to take."

Singers' backgrounds varied. Turner, for instance, gave up her finance job to pursue a full-time career in singing that has included, so far, professional stints with theaters in New York and Maryland, as well as appearances for corporate events and private parties.

Mason, meanwhile, has "been in chorus and done a talent show," she said.

But from the perspective of the P-Nats, age and experience don't really matter.

"Last year, I think it was, a five-year-old performed," Oppermann said.

Staff writer Cheryl Chumley can be reached at 703-670-1907.