The Final Note: SU singer's last national anthem

Jonathan Shew is no stranger to the pressures of the stage. Aside from his numerous performances as a music industry major at Syracuse University's College of Visual and Performing Arts, and his participation in SU's only all-male a capella group, Orange Appeal, he grew up with music and performance in his blood. Originally from New York City, both of Shew's parents are Broadway performers. 

Photo: Meghan Lisson

Jonathan Shew leaving the Carrier Dome court March 3, 2009, after his final performance of the national anthem at a SU men's basketball game.

But it's Shew who is the "expert" national anthem singer of the family. Shew has sung the National Anthem for at least one SU home game every year he's been a student here. He says he's learned to control the nerves, but hearing a crowd of thousands silence themselves to listen to him still makes his heart race. 

At the last SU home basketball game on March 3 against Rutgers, a night dedicated to graduating students as "Senior Night," Shew gave his final performance of the National Anthem in his college career. This is his story.