Dins Sing Anthem For Celtics

Before the Boston Celtics took on the Denver Nuggets at the FleetCenter last night, Harvard's own Din and Tonics sang the national antham at center court.

For the Dins, an all-male a capella group, the occasion marked their second appearance at a Celtics game; they sang before a Miami Heat game last year.

Paul H. Freedman '98, a member of the Dins, said he was happy to give a repeat performance.

"We loved the opportunity to sing there, so at the beginning of this year I made it clear to [the Celtics] that we'd like to do it again," Freedman said.

He added that after their performance the Din and Tonics were treated to "great seats" for the game.

Although conspicuous in their tuxedos, the singers suffered a case of mistaken identity the last time they sang for the Celtics.

"Last year, when we were going to the FleetCenter, everyone thought we were waiters because we were wearing tails," Freedman said.

But Freedman added that once the group sang, they received a warm welcome.

"On the way back, they all recognized who we were," he said.

Last night's national anthem marks the second time this week that the Din and Tonics have performed at the FleetCenter.

The group performed "A World of Difference" in front of 10,000 people at Team Harmony, an event to promote racial cooperation among high school students.