News

Wadsworth High Choirs Perform For Cleveland Cavaliers Game

Avneet Singh, Staff Writer • January 28, 2025

Rhythm in Red and New Edition performed on the court last year. They sang the National Anthem. Photo courtesy of Kalyn Davis.

Wadsworth High School’s New Edition and Rhythm in Red choirs will be at the Rocket Mortgage Field house to perform during the Cleveland Cavaliers game on Jan. 30 at 7:30 p.m..
The choirs will be performing the National Anthem, “Star-Spangled Banner” by Francis Scott Key in front of about 19,000 people.
This game will be against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks.
New Edition and Rhythm in Red have performed at the game for three years in a row. Choirs must audition to perform at the game.
“The past few times I have been able to do it, it’s been a real joy,” said James Welsh, a senior at Wadsworth High School in Rhythm in Red and New Edition. “It’s always nice to see everyone come together to perform for something so big as this.”
The choirs are asked to be in the tunnel by 6:15 p.m. The tunnel is underneath the Rocket Mortgage Field house and right beside the court.
“I think it’s been a big mark of pride for our choir department that we’re asked to do this, like, above any other choirs,” Welsh said. “I think that we’re really lucky to have this experience and I think it’s a good time.”
The performance can last for ninety seconds before the NBA could get penalized.

**Last year, The Wadsworth High School choirs went to the game. Rhythm in Red and New Edition performed on the court.** *Photo courtesy of Marisa Lawson.*

The choirs began practicing in autumn to prepare for the game.
“We did the song for the Veterans Day Assembly, so we’ve been working on it for a while now,” said Reese McQuaid, a sophomore at Wadsworth High School in New Edition.
Their practice consists of learning their parts through sectionals, recordings, performance runs, and singing in small quartets.
“We keep tweaking it [National Anthem] and perfecting it until we can get it as perfect as we can,” said Kalyn Davis, the choral director of Wadsworth High School.
There is also a chance for elementary students to be an anthem child or in the hand tunnel at the game.
“I think they’ll do a pretty good job,” Davis said. “They’re a solid group.”

The choirs aim to represent Wadsworth, make memories and enjoy their time on this trip.
“I just hope that we do the song justice and that people are glad that we came to perform,” McQuaid said.

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About the Contributor

Avneet Singh, Staff Writer

My name is Avneet Singh, and I am a staff writer for the Bruin. I am currently in 10th grade. Ever since I was young, I have enjoyed reading and writing. I joined the Bruin to develop my writing skills and gain new experiences. I learned how to interview people and construct news articles properly through the Bruin. I also learned how to cooperate with others even when under pressure. My favorite part about journalism is that messages can be distributed across many communities. Additionally, underrepresented voices can be heard. Overall, my experience in journalism has been positive with the Bruin.