O! Say Can You Sing?

After astounding her family and friends (not to mention the Bishop) with a surprise rendition of the National Anthem at her graduation ceremony from Red Bank Catholic High School in June, Amanda Pontone's appetite for singing in front of large audiences was whetted.

In early July, news came that Pontone, 18, had been chosen to sing the National Anthem at the opening ceremonies for harness racing's premier event, the 30th Annual Hambletonian Festival at Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, NJ.  Her family has owned horses for nearly 20 years, having raced in the Hambletonian numerous times and even won. Amanda's father, Tom, made inquiries on his daughter's behalf.

“My parents were in Sweden when they called to tell me,” she said, “but with the time difference, I couldn't believe what they were saying to me, at first.”

The Hambletonian Festival is known as the Super Bowl of harness-racing, explained Moira Fanning, Director of Operations of the Hambletonian Society, of Cranbury, NJ. And Meadowlands Racetrack is the world capital, she said. The purse for the Hambletonian race alone is $1.5 million dollars, with a total of 15 races scheduled. 

"The races will be broadcast live on NBC and via simulcast to France, Scandinavia, Malta, New Zealand, and Australia, everywhere that people like to bet on harness-racing, so Amanda will actually be the first thing those countries see and hear,” said Fanning.

Got motivation?

“That made me think 'I'd better start practicing',” said Pontone.

For the past two weeks, she's been working with Emily Keene of Middletown, a professional voice coach and an accomplished singer who's performed at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City.

“Right now what we're working on is how to be in the right mind-set. Especially in such a big stadium in front of so many people, she's working on calming down my nerves," she said with a mix of excitement and resolve.

“I'll just keep a smile on my face and sing the song. It's the National Anthem, you can't really screw it up unless you're Christina Aguilera.”

As part of her preparation, Keene has had Pontone research the song's author, Francis Scott Key, and learn what the song is about.

“She had me picture all of the images in front of me while singing it. Some people just sing the words, but no, no, no, you have to feel it and sing it with meaning.”

And what of the song's notoriously difficult one and a half octave range on which many a celebrity's dreams of glory have been dashed?

“I'm past the point of thinking it's a difficult song,” she said. “I'm trained more classically, so I'm not going to do the crazy Aquilera riffs, I'm just going to sing it the way the song should be sung.”

Music and performing have always been a part of Pontone's life.

“I just remember singing my whole life,” she said. “I performed in school plays and talent shows, my parents took me to Broadway shows.” In high school, she met that rare teacher who opens up new worlds, choir director Sean Mack.

“He's amazing. He taught me how to use my voice as my instrument”

Pontone, who is the niece of Holmdel Deputy Mayor Serena DiMaso, will attend Ramapo College in the fall. Although she was accepted into the music program, she's decided on a more practical Business major. Of course she plans to continue singing in college.

So what does one wear to sing the National Anthem to be broadcast nationally and internationally?

“I need to go shopping!” she quickly replied, “A pretty sundress, wedges, do my hair up nicely. I need a 'TV face'. I'm going to be on TV!”

For more information:

The event is Saturday, August 6th.

Gates open at 9:30 with the first race starting at 11:30. There are still open, unreserved seats and admission is one dollar. If you bring a canned food item, you get in free. The racetrack is at 50 State Route 120, East Rutherford, NJ 07073. Visit www.hambletonian.org.