Star-Spangled Banner at New York Giants game

Three West Point Band trumpet players performed an arrangement of the Star-Spangled Banner at the New York Giants vs. Denver Broncos football game on September 15, 2013.

[badddnote]

Thanks. Mine is actually a silver plated Selmer in case you wanted one just like it. It clamps on to the horn (1941 Martin Handcraft Imperial). A Bobby Shew Marcinkiewicz with a Warburton NY backbore was also used.

[whitey]

I was there on the flag detail. It was awesome!

[PrimalArtemis]

As a military musician myself, I always appreciated the pride we took in performing the anthem as it's meant to be played. I assume this got approved, but that doesn't mean I liked it. I would have been more impressed if the guy in the middle could stand at attention and still deliver the high notes.

[wallyoyen]

What a welcome change from the recent rash of rasteless renditions. Wonderful!

[Dana_Danarosana]

Amazing, Rich!! Minnesota is proud of you!!

[dfjazzzzz]

At first I thought the Tastee Bros were making their next CD, but then saw the guy's posture in the middle and realized it was live (take note of his stance...powerful posture = powerful notes). I like the crowd cheering after the first couple high G's...sounded like all were men who were then immediately smacked by their significant other. Glad to see that some people still appreciate high notes! hah

[anitabrownjazz]

YEAH You all sounded great. Nice arrangement. Who wrote that one, Scott? :) Castleman that was unbelievable!! Perfect and right in tune! Amazing. You da man!! Up in the ;)

[dfjazzzzz]

I've been told that feet shoulder-width apart is the only authorized position for the dubba c. I don't think Brizgys here understands that our anthem is a contrafact of a tune honoring a Greek poet's love of wine and entertainment (the original lyrics even say "Bacchus's vine"). With that in mind, this rendition is historically-based...and awesome. :)

[saxman]

My favorite part is at 0:30 when the guy in the middle adjusts his stance to make room for his giant cajones!

[eljanio]

Reminds me only of High Note Trumpet National Anthem put together by SpiroAgnu.

[kylerowland]

Yep pretty sure that's in the regs - shoulder width for the dubba c!!!! :)

[PadreDeSeis]

There are fairly stringent Did guidelines for the performance of our National Anthem. A Maynard Ferguson type screaming trumpet version is not one included in that policy. Though they are certainly impressive, those guidelines are put in place to prevent military musical units from performing 'interpreatations' of our anthem. That is why you will never hear a military solo vocalist take liberties with the anthem. It is not permitted. These guys must have gotten approval. I'm just surprised

[badddnote]

I'm confused. Help me out. Is it the WRITTEN notes or is it the stance? Correct me if I am wrong here but it appears that you are saying if you stand at attention and deliver the notes then it is OK to play what is WRITTEN even if it is a dubba C?

[PadreDeSeis]

@ whitey823, What I meant is that military units, regardless of their instrumentation, are really only supposed to play the DoD prescribed version of our National Anthem.  I'm sure they got approval but it is basically using our Anthem to showcase their skills, which are exceptional without a doubt.  Imagine if every smoking small ensemble in every military musical unit came up with their own version.  It would be 'Bleeding Gums Murphy' (Simpsons) all over the place but they would be doing this as official representatives of our government.  This is why there are guidelines.  Don't get me wrong.  Still awesome playing but as you can see from every 3rd or 4th comment; inappropriate.  Sorry this took so long.

[anitabrownjazz]

He is setting his stance to push air so hard from his diaphragm that he could stop a Mack truck. That's the only way to get those high notes. There are very few people on the planet Earth who can nail the notes Castleman just hit in this video. Truth.

[danielireland]

That had to have been JD on lead right?

[jarrodrannou]

0:35 I think that was fireworks going off

[kyasprin]

@Robert Patterson

I disagree, so does the crowd response

[ericperry]

Military renditions of the SSB have to be approved by DoD in order to be played in official representation. This would have been given the go ahead by someone much higher.

[gregb]

I find it disturbing that the nitpickers will denigrate a fantastic performance of our National Anthem when it is so often butchered by celebrities who cant hit the notes, forget the words, and make obscene gestures during the performance. These men did an outstanding job and if it is good enough for the DoD to approve it then it should e good enough for the rest of us. Get a life Brizgys and Petty your criticism is off base.