The roar of a packed stadium, the unified voice of a nation singing its anthem – it’s a powerful moment in any sporting event. For musicians, however, performing the national anthem live in a large venue presents a unique set of challenges. Adeline Hans, president of the Harmony of the 3rd canton of Reims, knows this firsthand. She described the experience as “stomach-churning,” highlighting the need to “follow the conductor carefully” due to the stadium’s acoustics and the potential for slight delays.
Hans and her fellow musicians are set to perform the national anthems before the France-Sweden Women’s Nations League match on Friday, November 28, at the Auguste-Delaune stadium in Reims. This isn’t their first time gracing this pitch for such a significant occasion. The last time the French women’s national team,known as “les Bleues,” played at Stade Delaune was on October 31,2023,also for a nations League fixture against norway. In front of a crowd of 13,000, Hans, playing her bassoon, experienced the thrill and pressure of performing for a major international match. She eagerly anticipates returning for this crucial game, which holds significant implications for third place in the competition.
“When we heard about this return, we were speedy to apply, because they remain unique events,” Hans explained. She emphasized the high stakes, noting, “Besides, we never go there boasting; the slightest mistake can be fatal. It’s not like a concert; we’re not going to start the anthem again. Everything is filmed live.” This underscores the immense pressure and the need for flawless execution when performing for a global audience.
Dress Rehearsal: Precision Under Pressure
While the musicians understand the unforgiving nature of live anthem performances, they also trust in the meticulous institution that accompanies such events.Hans and her thirty fellow musicians will undergo a full dress rehearsal on thursday evening. Dressed in smart black costumes complemented by warm coats, their instruments – trumpets, trombones, tubas, and drums – will fill the stadium with sound. Their strategic positioning behind the players, in front of the official stand, has been carefully planned.
“We are going to start from the opposite corner to set up discreetly.We have about 2 minutes to play the two national anthems. Don’t make a mistake; this is the most delicate part. We will have to stay within the chronology of the event,” Hans detailed. The goal is clear: a perfect performance, without a single false note, ensuring the anthems resonate with dignity and precision.
Sports fans can catch the France-Sweden first leg match, part of the Women’s Nations League, live from the Auguste-Delaune stadium in Reims this Friday, November 28, starting at 9:05 p.m. The match will be broadcast on France 4.
Worth a look
