The Florida Orchestra is used to making music, but in one instance, their music made history.

It was 30 years ago, when Whitney Houston and the orchestra kicked off Super Bowl XXV in Tampa, leaving the country in awe of its own national anthem.

“It was a great moment. It will always be a great moment,” Linda Hall told Spectrum News. She had a front row seat as a violin player in the powerful performance.

“So, it was basically ‘get to your spot as fast as you can, and look ready and let her rip,’” said Assistant Principal Cellist, Lowell Adams.

“Walking out on the (Tampa Stadium) ‘old sombrero’ field with 75,000 people – they’re focusing their energy on our entrance. It was palpable. It was visceral.

Adams sat just feet away from Whitney Houston as she belted out the Star Spangled Banner.

“We didn’t think of it at the time. But now, all these years later, I realize now – wow, that was really a moment in time for all of us. And I got to work with Whitney Houston. That was a thrill.”

The performance has stayed with these accomplished musicians in more ways than one.

“We were the first orchestra to ever perform at the Super Bowl, and we’ll own that forever,” Hall said.

“It’s become the gold standard by which all other performances are measured, and that’s something to be proud of,” Adams said.