Hoosier Lawmaker Seeks ‘performance Standards’ For National Anthem

The Indianapolis Star reports, “New state bill could make it illegal to sing national anthem ‘inappropriately‘”:

[State] Sen. Vaneta Becker, R-Evansville, has introduced a bill that would set specific “performance standards” for singing and playing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at any event sponsored by public schools and state universities.

The law also would cover private schools receiving state or local scholarship funds, including vouchers.

Performers would have to sign a contract agreeing to follow the guidelines. Musicians — whether amateur or professional — would be fined $25 if it were deemed they failed to meet the appropriate standards.

But just what is appropriate? Would Jimi Hendrix’s electric version make the grade? Are Christina Aguilera’s vocal gymnastics a fineable offense?

That’s unclear. What is and what is not “acceptable,” according to Becker’s bill, would be determined by the State Department of Education, with input from the Commission for Higher Education.

Becker said she would expect the guidelines to require that the national anthem be sung with the usual lyrics to the traditional melody — “the way that we normally have it sung or heard throughout most of our state and our country.”

Ugh. What could be worse for musicians or their audiences than requiring that every performance be “acceptable” and “normal.”

Here are a bunch that, I’m sure, wouldn’t meet the Indiana GOP’s idea of normal and acceptable: