Last Sunday afternoon — during the Orioles’ opening weekend and just a few days after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge – Jami Eisenstadt Saval stood behind home plate at Camden Yards and proudly sang the most famous composition by the bridge’s namesake.
This was not the first time Saval, an Ellicott City resident who grew up in Owings Mills, sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” at a professional sporting event. But it might’ve been the most emotional.
Jmore recently spoke about the Mar. 31 “Birdland” appearance with Saval, who belongs to Temple Isaiah in Fulton, owns a property management company and is a realtor with Elite Partners of Next Step Realty. She and her husband, Brian, vice president of Saval Foodservice based in Elkridge, have two daughters, Sloan and Lennon.
Jmore: How did you wind up singing the national anthem at an O’s game, as well as ‘God Bless America’ from the dugout roof during the seventh inning?
JS: I actually sang the anthem at the Orioles game for the first time when I was 11 years old and have enjoyed coming back year after year to sing at Camden Yards.
I have done the national anthem hundreds of times since. Starting with all the sporting events at my high school to the Baltimore Blast, Washington Wizards, Washington Nationals, over 100 times at University of Maryland and every year for the Baltimore Ravens.
Did singing the anthem take on any special meaning for you in the wake of the Key Bridge tragedy?
A moment of silence before singing is always difficult. I always have to take a deep breath during it to keep my emotions at bay. It is somber, lives have been lost and it is emotional.
I never take for granted the meaning that the anthem has for people and always try to convey it with respect.
Were you nervous?
I love singing our national anthem. This past Sunday was the first time my daughters were on the field with me and that was a very special moment!
Some performers — Christina Aguilera, Roseanne Barr, Steven Tyler, Fergie, etc. — have famously tinkered with ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ and get, shall we say, creative with it. What’s your approach?
It is a difficult song to sing. To begin with, aside from the melody itself, the song holds a lot of meaning and carries a lot of emotion for people, so it is important to be respectful of the way it was written.
While I do put a personal touch on it, I like to think I honor the way ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ was written with my rendition.
What is the trickiest part of singing the national anthem at a stadium event?
There is about a three-second delay when you sing in a stadium. So I start singing the song, but then do not hear what I sang for another three seconds. Drowning out the surrounding sounds and focusing on the internal song, continuing on rhythm while singing a cappella can be difficult.
I remember the first time I sang at Camden Yards — at 11 — I was not prepared for that, and my anthem ended up being almost two-and-a-half minutes. The time asked at most stadiums is one minute and 30 seconds, as it normally runs in a commercial break.
I now have my national anthem nailed down to one minute and 30 seconds and know exactly what part of the song I am in at what minute. This is important to help plan for flyovers when they are scheduled.
As a singer, is it ever distracting or annoying when Orioles fans shout ‘Oh!!!’ in the middle of the national anthem?
Growing up in Baltimore, it’s the only way I’ve ever known the anthem. In fact, when I have done it at other events, and they don’t say ‘Oh!’ — and I am expecting it, but it is silent — that always feels weird to me now.
Where did you get your vocal training?
I was a part of a singing troupe called Maryland Sings from elementary school through high school. I then took vocal music every year at UMD.
Are you hopeful that your Camden Yards appearance will lead to other singing gigs?
My dream for the longest time was to sing for the Baltimore Ravens. Now, I am honored to be able to sing there every year!
If anyone needs a national anthem singer, I am always honored to sing our “Star-Spangled Banner,” written right here in Baltimore! Contact me @singing__realtor on Instagram.
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