Plymouth Woman a Go-to for National Anthem Singing
Forty-one days a year, thousands of fans pack into Target Center to watch the Minnesota Timberwolves.
For those who get to the arena early enough, they’ll see the players go through pregame rituals. That can include getting in some extra shots, or jumping rope to help with their conditioning.
But away from the bright lights of the court, Stephanie Varone has a pregame routine of her own. She’ll be somewhere behind the scenes, warming up her vocal chords.
She’s a singer/songwriter from Plymouth who’s considered as Minnesota’s go-to National Anthem singer.
“I love singing the song,” Varone said. “It’s fresh for me every single time. It means a lot to me and it’s an honor to sing it.”
The Star-Spangled Banner has been intertwined with sports since a military band played it during the 1918 World Series at the height of World War I.
“It shows respect towards America when you take off your hat,” said Austin Felling, a Boy Scout who attended the game. “I think it’s pretty cool.”
Today, you’ll hear it performed before every major sporting event in the United States.
“It’s just very powerful,” said Andrew Gotham, another Boy Scout in attendance. “It brings people together. Everybody knows it.”
‘A Way I Can Give Back’
For Varone, whose father and two sons have a military background, the anthem is special because it honors those who served.
“They’re willing to die for us, and that to me is super powerful,” Varone said. “So this is a way I can give back to our troops, past and present and future.”
And give back she does. To date, Stephanie Varone says she’s performed the anthem more than 300 times, at stadiums such as Fenway Park in Boston, Wrigley Field in Chicago, and most of the Twin Cities’ sports venues.
“The community of Minneapolis has been very, very supportive, and they’ve been lovely to work with,” Varone said. “Especially the Timberwolves and the Lynx. The organization has been nothing but awesome and supportive.”
When she’s not singing the national anthem, you can see Stephanie Varone singing with a group called ‘Starlette’s Web.’
For more information on Varone and a schedule of her upcoming performances, you can go to stephanievarone.com.
