February 22, 2025 [Charlotte, North Carolina] – The North Carolina Youth Orchestra performed the national anthem at the Charlotte Checkers game on Saturday in front of a record breaking crowd. Checkers announcers said 8,665 people were in attendance, their biggest crowd to date. Hockey stood with hands over hearts as students skillfully performed The Star Spangled Banner fans cheered as the last strains rang out and the puck dropped.
Performing at a hockey game brings a new set of challenges many NCYO students have not faced before, giving them a chance to show off their ability to adapt, overcome, and play with poise. Not only do students perform from the stands which provide little room to maneuver, but also, it was the first time performing while standing for some of NCYO’s youngest musicians. The most noticeable difference between this performance and other performances is the crowd size. When asked what performing in front of thousands of people is like, NCYO Philharmonic student Asa Fugitt said, “It’s exciting, but I don’t really get nervous when I’m focused on playing my music.” This sentiment seemed to be shared by many as students performed with grace and great skill, as if they perform in front of thousands of eager hockey fans regularly.
The Checkers, playing as the River Rats in homage to their roots as the Albany River Rats before the franchise was sold and moved to Charlotte, defeated the Hershey Bears 3-1 bringing the evening to an exciting conclusion.
