On March 1st, 2026, Oakmont senior Allie Flannery made the Ash-West Community proud once again. Flannery scored the incredible opportunity of singing The Star Spangled Banner at the Boston Celtics home game against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Although this opportunity seems out of reach for many, this is just the beginning for Allie Flannery. Flannery is no stranger to public performances, but this one is her biggest so far. Before the Celtics performance, Allie had sung the anthem at a Red Sox game, multiple Woo Sox games, and countless community sporting events.
But she doesn’t only sing the national anthem. She also has two released songs of her own that have combined for over 7,000 plays on Spotify alone. She is also a part of Oakmont’s own jazz combo, Sixth Avenue Groove. This past summer, the combo won the DoGood Music Festival Competition, which allowed them to open for the Plain White T’s and The Fray in front of 10,000 people. Flannery has sung for Oakmont’s Jazz Ensemble several times and is a multi-time winner of many singer/songwriter contests.
Flannery explained that she first started singing before sporting events in fourth grade. She’s gained more experience over the years and has begun singing for more important games, such as baseball and basketball championships. When she finally felt ready for the next step, Flannery stated, “I applied and sang for the Woo Sox games, then eventually the Red Sox, and now the Celtics.”
Flannery’s reaction to the news was nothing short of ecstatic.
“I found out the Celtics invited me when I was in school last fall. I was sitting in the main lobby when my mom called me and told me the news. She knew I’d be really excited, so she couldn’t even wait for me to get home. That day, I couldn’t even hold my excitement in, so I told most of my closest friends. I’m a big Celtics fan, and I feel like it’s such an honor to sing for them.”
After the long period of waiting for her big gig, it was finally time for Flannery to step onto the court to sing. She shared that before she goes on for these performances, “I’m sometimes freaking out on the inside beforehand. But, I’ve mostly learned to overcome those nerves and not let it stop me,” said Flannery.
Flannery stated that she does experience stage fright on occasion, but the experience itself and the support that comes after make it all worth it.
Allie explained that the whole experience was bittersweet. “The entire experience felt surreal. In a way, it feels like it never even happened. This time, I thought I’d be extremely nervous because I’ve wanted this my whole life.”
During the performance, however, Flannery was thankful that she felt more excitement and relaxation. But after it was over, she said, “It hit me like a truck that I may never get the chance to do this again. And although I was so happy, I was also a little sad that it was over.”
Flannery shared that the whole night was amazing, overall. She enjoyed being able to open the game in such a patriotic way. She stated that the fans were the best part.
“When I was singing, and the crowd started cheering and whistling, I almost couldn’t even hear myself. At that moment, it was the reassurance needed to know I was doing well,” said Flannery.
She enjoys singing the anthem in particular, because it means so much to so many people. She said, “This entire experience was so amazing, and I would do it again in a heartbeat.”
Even though it seems like Flannery couldn’t do any more, she’s not stopping anytime soon. Her plans for the upcoming years include keeping music in her life, no matter where she ends up. Although unsure about college at first, Flannery decided that she is going to major in music business at either Berklee College of Music in Boston or Belmont University in Nashville.
Flannery first intended to major in music performance, but she realized that she’d rather help contribute to something bigger than herself. She wants to help build a platform for artists to decide the path of their career on their own terms. She shared that in this current day and age, “It is extremely difficult for musicians to reach their goals. A lot of platforms and the current algorithms in social media are working against them…the idea of creating a company that helps artists build their own career and fanbase fairly is almost just as pleasing as being on stage.”
Although Flannery is planning on studying business, she is still going to continue to make music on the side. She has no plans of stopping writing and recording anytime soon. She plans on releasing one more single before she graduates, and will release her first album soon after. She also hopes for an opportunity to sing the anthem for the Patriots one day.
In the far future, Allie is faced with a dilemma. Part of her wants to live a quiet life in Maine, but the other wants to travel the world, performing for thousands of people. Either way she goes, she still wants to own her own company that helps artists.
Flannery appreciates her roots and opportunities. “I wanted to say thank you to everyone in our community that helped me sing for the Celtics, and just supported my music in general. I have been so lucky, and I don’t know that I would have had these opportunities without them,” she said.
While the Spartan green and Celtic green came together for a night, it was special for the star vocalist. “There were several Oakmont staff and people in our community who came to the game, and I’m not sure I even have the right words for how much that meant to me. I will really miss singing for Oakmont, and I will always be grateful,” said Flannery.
Flannery does, in fact, have a huge community that rallies behind her, including family, friends, and Oakmont staff. Oakmont’s own music Director, Kris DeMoura, said it best: “It was an amazing experience to see her flawlessly perform the national anthem for THOUSANDS of Celtics fans. Her stage presence and confidence were evident on the large screens throughout the garden. The many people there from Oakmont were so happy and proud of this accomplishment for Allie and her family.”
If you want to hear more of Allie’s incredible talent, you can find her on YouTube and Spotify at Allie Flannery. The Ash-West community is so proud of what an amazing young woman Allie has grown up to be, and we cannot wait to see how far she goes!
