[Tracey]

I work for a production company and have a client who will have a choir sing the national anthem, coupled with color guard. We will have the United States flag on screen, blending/switching between the image of the choir on camera. We are being asked by a third party to scroll the names of the choir on screen while they are singing. I do not feel that this is appropriate protocol. My thoughts are that the flag, patriotic images, images of the color guard, and even images of the singer(s) are appropriate to be displayed on screen during the national anthem, but that displaying the names of the choir is not appropriate because it seems to honors the performers, and not the flag/country.

Can anyone provide some insight?

[Robin Hickman]

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Hello, Tracey !

Welcome to the USA-Flag-Site Forums !!!


These are a few of my personal thoughts about the situation that you've described. That doesn't mean that they are right or wrong, just that they're MY thoughts.


QUOTE : "We will have the United States flag on screen..."

If the ONLY U.S. Flag present is the one on the screen, then that is the ONLY thing that should be shown on that screen during the playing of the National Anthem. Why? To "borrow" a phrase from George M. Cohan, "Keep your eye on that Grand Old Flag"!

If there is a "regular" U.S. Flag mounted on a pole or hanging from the rafters, and the "video" flag is in addition to it, the interchanging images between the "flag" and the choir might be alright. I say "might" because when the National Anthem is being played, everyone "should" be facing the real Flag and looking at it, and NOT whatever's on the screen.

If any mention of the choir is made, then it would probably be made by the public address announcer PRIOR to the presenting of The Colors and the National Anthem. the announcement would be something like, "Would you please rise and face the Flag for the singing of our National Anthem by the ABC Choir under the direction of Ms. XYZ."

Remember, these are just MY thoughts on your situation. Please let us know what you decide to do and how it all worked out.


Thank You, Tracey, for bringing your Flag-ralted question to our forums !!!


Robin Hickman
Eugene, Oregon, USA
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[Tracey]

Thanks, Robin. I'm good with #1 and #2 response; My client has requested that teh names of the choir be scrolled during the singing, which I think is highly inappropriate. (Yes, there will be a flag on stage, as well as on video.) I agree with you that there should be an annoucement of sorts asking the audience to rise for the Color Guard and Singing of the National Anthem by choir X.... etc.; I just don't htink the scrolling of the names is appropriate. I appreciate your thoughts and insight. I won't allow the scrolling of choir names on screen. Thanks again!

[Robin Hickman]

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Hi, Tracey !

Well, whichever way it goes, Good Luck !!!

Robin Hickman
Eugene, Oregon, USA

PS. Maybe list the choir members' names in the event's printed program (if there is one) ???
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