“Oh say can you see, by the dawn’s early light…”. (Click to listen!)
St. John’s Advanced Band had the honor and opportunity to perform our National Anthem at the Angels’ game on Saturday, September 15th. Our small but mighty band of 8 joined with about 600 middle and high school students from around Orange County to play our nation’s song.
Before the game, they rehearsed with conductor John Carnahan from Cal State-Long Beach. They quickly found out that it could be challenging staying together with 600 students stretched out the length of a football field. They couldn’t rely on their ears to tell them if they were playing together. Rather, they had to watch the conductor very closely.
After rehearsal, they walked onto the warning track at the stadium and performed in right field. What an honor! Later they watched the game with all the St. Johns families who came to support them! It was a fun evening to sit in the St. Johns section of the ball park, where we knew many of the people nearby. The band students continued to have fun by dancing together to see if they could get on the Jumbotron. Their efforts were rewarded when they were showcased on the Jumbotron for all to see! The evening ended with a fireworks show and a Nick Jonas concert.
Music is said to bring people together. This is certainly true for St. John’s band. They were brought together to honor our nation with the 600 students performing, a university band conductor, the 42,000 people at the game who heard them play, and the St. Johns families who came to support them!
By: Mrs. Krista Elliott, Music Teacher
