The national anthem is considered one of the most difficult songs to perform live since it calls for a very wide vocal range. It helps if the singer is a seasoned performer like Abbie Strauss, cantor at Temple Judea in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
On March 5, Strauss belted out “The Star-Spangled Banner” with no issues at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla., just a few miles from her congregation.
For Strauss, the experience was extra special because it preceded a spring training home game with the St. Louis Cardinals—her favorite team—as they beat the Minnesota Twins 5-4. Strauss lived in St. Louis earlier in her career, before a cantorial stint in Memphis and now Florida.
“I auditioned near the stadium and was chosen to sing,” she said. “I chose only Cardinals games and was assigned this wonderful date—and I was so honored. I have sung at an NBA game but never a baseball game. The echo made it very difficult for me, but it was fun being around such incredible fans in such a special setting. Spring training is such an amazing time, and as a huge Cardinals fan, there is nothing like being close to the players and seeing them in this laid-back setting.”
Strauss is a member of the Temple Judea clergy, where her husband, Feivel Strauss, is associate rabbi. She is also the founder of the Institute of Jewish Rock and a featured performer on Jewish Rock Radio. She also practices “Judaism: Inside Out,” a musical philosophy she founded that engages the mind, body and soul; it grew out of a music program she implemented for children at Temple Israel in Memphis, Tenn.
“All of a sudden, it went from about eight kids that would come hang out to over 30 kids,” she said. “I realized kids wanted to rock, so I partnered with Jewish Rock Radio and the School of Rock in Memphis, and I created a program that was similar to the School of Rock program. The main difference was we focused on Jewish artists.”
This story originally appeared in the St. Louis Jewish Light.
