Fourteen students from Baldwin Wallace University’s esteemed Music Theatre program took the field at Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 19 to perform the national anthem before the Cleveland Browns’ home game against the Miami Dolphins.
The performance gave students from the Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music the opportunity to showcase their artistry on one of the city’s biggest stages. The group sang for a crowd of more than 63,000 people at Huntington Bank Field as rain poured steadily over the stadium.
Despite the less-than-ideal weather, their voices carried powerfully through the cool October air. Years of Conservatory training met the energy of a roaring NFL crowd in a moment that blended professional poise with Baldwin Wallace pride.
Junior vocal performance major Fiona Coughlin, who was part of the group, reflected gleefully on the day’s experience.
“It was absolutely amazing! The biggest thing we needed to look out for was the weather! Singing in pouring rain was a challenge, but we were able to work through it. Performing in front of such a big audience in a huge stadium is intimidating, but we all worked together to communicate and do our best! The Browns also won, so that was a plus!” she said.
The Browns defeated the Dolphins 31-6, adding to the excitement of an already unforgettable day for the BW performers.
Students described the unique experience of performing in a setting unlike anything they had done before. Junior music theatre major Caleb Smith called it “a challenging yet thrilling experience, with the intense rain, the stadium’s echo, and fireworks going off right in front of you.”
Senior music theatre major Eden Susong added, “Singing the national anthem isn’t that difficult on its own, but when you add pelting rain and wind, NFL players running behind you, a camera in your face, and thousands of fans watching, it makes you a little nervous. Even with nerves and excitement, I think the Conservatory has trained us well enough to know how to stay together, especially with the delay in sound.”
Senior vocal performance major Abby Horn agreed, saying that performing in such a large venue “required us to stay completely locked in with one another to stay together and in tempo.”
The students’ ability to adapt to the challenging conditions reflected the professionalism and teamwork emphasized throughout Baldwin Wallace’s Conservatory programs. From the stage to the stadium, BW students are known for stepping confidently into high-pressure, real-world environments, and this high-profile performance proved no exception.
University President Lee Fisher attended the game to support the performers, who represented Baldwin Wallace’s ongoing partnership with the Cleveland Browns organization. Fisher even joined the group during rehearsal, offering words of encouragement and celebrating their dedication.
The students worked closely with the Browns’ game-day production staff, who provided support and ensured every detail of the performance went smoothly. BW later shared photos and video clips of the students smiling beneath clear Browns ponchos, waving to the crowd moments after the anthem ended.
Performing under unpredictable weather became an unexpected lesson in perseverance and professionalism. Handling nerves, distractions, and environmental challenges is part of what prepares Conservatory students for their futures in the performing arts, and this experience tested those skills in real time.
For the students, the performance was more than just a few minutes on the field. It was a moment that represented hard work, collaboration, and community. The unity that defines the BW Music Theatre program was on full display as they sang together before tens of thousands of fans.
When the final notes of “The Star-Spangled Banner” rang through the stadium, the crowd responded with cheers that echoed across the stands. The group walked off the field smiling beneath their ponchos, proud of the moment they had shared.
The rain may have tested their focus, but it did nothing to dampen their spirit. For these Baldwin Wallace performers, singing at an NFL game was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that celebrated artistry, resilience, and the unmistakable pride of the Yellow Jackets.