Caroline Sinico regularly sings the national anthem before men's basketball games at Williams College, where she is studying music.
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Usually within the first 10 seconds of Caroline Sinico's rendition of the national anthem, visiting men's basketball fans, players, coaches and referees start stealing glances at her.
By the time the Williams junior reaches "and the rocket's red glare," the visiting crowd is clearly impressed. When she concludes with "and the home of the brave," both the visiting and home fans know they have been treated to a stirring rendition of national anthem.
Customarily Sinico will get a high five from Eph head basketball coach Mike Maker when she finishes, but now it is also the visiting head coach and the referees offering congratulations with nods, thumbs up or handshakes.
"Caroline's rendition of the national anthem brings a great deal of pride to our program, institution and community," said Maker. "Her talent inspires us all, including the visiting teams. Clearly, she has had a major impact on Chandler's electric atmosphere."
The Pittsfield native is studying Western Classical music at Williams, while also participating in the concert and chamber choirs. She was singing long before she entered Williams, and performed not only the national anthem at her Taconic High School graduation but also her valedictory "speech."
Sinico has added the singing the "Star-Spangled Banner" outdoors to her resume performing before home football games the past two years. The same appreciative glances and congratulations she receives in Chandler Gym have followed her to Weston Field.
Make no mistake about it – Sinico is a singer. Recently, she had to miss three men's basketball games because she was singing in a professional opera company's presentation of "La Traviata" in Schenectady, N.Y.
Two years ago, a representative from the city of Salem, Va., was on hand for the game that sent the Eph men's basketball team to the Final Four in Salem. The representative had the foresight to tape Sinico singing and next thing you know she was invited to sing the national anthem before the 2011 NCAA Division III Championship game.
Sinico hopes to make a career out of singing opera after Williams. She is profiled on the new Williams Arts page
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