Pentatonix perform an awe-inspiring rendition of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' in a powerful five-part vocal arrangement
In the heart of the NFL season, the Christmas Day game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans was made even more memorable by a remarkable performance of the national anthem. The honor went to none other than the acclaimed a cappella vocal group, Pentatonix.
Formed in 2011 in Arlington, Texas, Pentatonix consists of Scott Hoying, Mitch Grassi, Kirstin Maldonado, Matt Sallee, and Kevin Olusola. This five-member ensemble, known for their pop-style arrangements of classic songs, hymns, and carols, delivered a performance that left viewers in awe.
The group's rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" was a testament to their unique blend of vocal talents. Mitch Grassi, with his countertenor range, Kirstin Maldonado's mezzo-soprano, Scott Hoying's baritone, Matt Sallee's bass, and Kevin Olusola's beatboxing skills, combined to create a five-part harmony that was nothing short of spectacular.
Kevin Olusola, also known as 'Kevin O', is a cellist, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and beatboxer. He is renowned for his beatboxing skills, as demonstrated in a viral video where he beatboxes and plays Bach's Cello Suite No.1 simultaneously.
The performance included riffs and production to create Pentatonix's iconic sound, which was met with overwhelmingly positive reactions on social media. One viewer compared their performance to that of the legendary Whitney Houston, while another rewound the performance multiple times due to its excellence.
Pentatonix's success is evident in their numerous accolades. They are a triple Grammy-winning, multi-platinum-selling ensemble with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Their unique style and talent have brought them worldwide recognition.
It's worth noting that Matt Sallee joined the group after the departure of their former bass vocalist Avi Kaplan in 2017, marking his official debut with the group through music videos and live performances.
This wasn't Pentatonix's first time performing the national anthem at a high-profile event. In February 2025, Jon Batiste will take the stage to perform the national anthem live at the Superbowl, following in the footsteps of artists such as Reneé Fleming and Whitney Houston.
As we look forward to the Superbowl, we can't help but reflect on Pentatonix's exceptional performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner". It serves as a reminder of the power of music and the unity it can bring, even in the midst of a heated football game.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentatonix [2] https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8210389/pentatonix-new-album-ptx-forever-interview [3] https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/pentatonix-ptx-forever-album-review-1231877 [4] https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8482102/pentatonix-interview-new-album-ptx-vol-3-ptx-forever [5] https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7980844/pentatonix-ptx-vol-3-ptx-forever-album-review
- Pentatonix, renowned for their unique blend of music styles, delivered an exceptional performance of the national anthem during an NFL game, showcasing their talent in American-football events.
- As part of their repertoire, Pentatonix, a multiple Grammy-winning vocal group, performed their pop-style arrangements of carols and hymns in a way that drew comparisons to the legendary Whitney Houston.
- From their roots in Arlington, Texas, Pentatonix, with their acclaimed make-up of a countertenor, mezzo-soprano, baritone, bass, and beatboxer, have been entertaining audiences in various settings, including sports events like NFL games and high-profile concerts.
