Mixed Chorus Performs National Anthem at Yankee Stadium

By Sabrina Polidoro

On Tuesday, April 19, 2005 St. John's University Mixed Chorus sang the National Anthem to a crowd of 45,802 fans at Yankees Stadium. The group was chosen specifically by Yankees owner George Steinbrenner. The Mixed Chorus, along with director Kim Oler and Mary Pelkowski, Director of Student Activities spent the afternoon at the house that Ruth built.

Upon arrival, the group performed a sound check on the field behind home plate and the were given the opportunity to walk through Monument Park. The group grabbed a late lunch at the famous Yankee Tavern before heading back to the stadium to watch a little batting practice. After their performance the group joined other St. John's students that were in attendance to watch the rest of the game.

For many, singing the National Anthem at Yankee Stadium was a dream come true and for senior choir members it was not only a last hurrah but the perfect way to "go out with a bang."

(Click image to view full size) Members of the St. John's University Mixed Chorus waiting to go onto the field at Yankee Stadium for the the pre-game sound check.
(Click image to view full size) Members of the St. John's University Mixed Chorus during the pre-game sound check at Yankee Stadium.
(Click image to view full size) The St. John's University Mixed Chorus sings the National Anthem at Yankee Stadium, April 19, 2005.
(Click image to view full size) Member of the St. John's University Mixed Chorus waiting to go onto the field at Yankee Stadium for the the pre-game sound check.
(Click image to view full size) The St. John's University Mixed Chorus sings the National Anthem at Yankee Stadium, April 19, 2005.
(Click image to view full size) Members of the St. John's University Mixed Chorus waiting to enter Yankee Stadium to sing the national Anthem.
(Click image to view full size) St. John's University Mixed Chorus Director Kim Oler directing the chorus uring the pre-game sound check at Yankee Stadium.
(Click image to view full size) St. John's University Mixed Chorus Director Kim Oler and members of the chorus look at the New York Yankees' retired numbers in Monument Park at Yankee Stadium.
(Click image to view full size) Members of the St. John's University Mixed Chorus watching batting practice from the right-field stands.
(Click image to view full size) New York Yankee Randy Johnson during pre-game warmups.
(Click image to view full size) New York Yankee Jorge Posada during pre-game warmups.
(Click image to view full size) Member of the St. John's University Mixed Chorus with the plaque commemorating Pope John Paul II's visit to Yankee Stadium.
(Click image to view full size) Members of the St. John's University Mixed Chorus walking back to Monument Park after singing the National Anthem at Yankee Stadium.
(Click image to view full size) Member of the St. John's University Mixed Chorus during the pre-game sound check at Yankee Stadium.
(Click image to view full size) New York Yankee manager Joe Torre watching batting practice.
(Click image to view full size) Members of the St. John's University Mixed Chorus walking back to Monument Park after singing the National Anthem at Yankee Stadium.
(Click image to view full size) Members of the St. John's University Mixed Chorus waiting to go onto the field at Yankee Stadium for the the pre-game sound check.
(Click image to view full size) New York Yankee Mariano Rivera during pre-game warmups.
(Click image to view full size) Members of the St. John's University Mixed Chorus during the pre-game sound check at Yankee Stadium.
(Click image to view full size) The St. John's University Mixed Chorus sings the National Anthem at Yankee Stadium, April 19, 2005.
(Click image to view full size) New York Yankee Jorge Posada during pre-game warmups.
(Click image to view full size) Members of the St. John's University Mixed Chorus on the Yankee Stadium Diamond Vision screen located in right centerfield.
(Click image to view full size) Members of the St. John's University Mixed Chorus during the pre-game sound check at Yankee Stadium.
(Click image to view full size) Members of the St. John's University Mixed Chorus during the pre-game sound check at Yankee Stadium.
(Click image to view full size) St. John's University Mixed Chorus during the pre-game sound check at Yankee Stadium.
(Click image to view full size) Students joined the St. John's University Mixed Chorus at Yankee Stadium to watch the chorus sing the National Anthem and to see the Yankees play the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
(Click image to view full size) New York Yankees pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre (34), pitcher Randy Johnson (41) and catcher Jorge Posada (20) walk from the bullpen to the dugout before the start of the game.
(Click image to view full size) Member of the St. John's University Mixed Chorus in Momument Park at Yankee Stadium.
(Click image to view full size) Members of the St. John's University Mixed Chorus waiting to enter Yankee Stadium to sing the national Anthem.
(Click image to view full size) Members of the St. John's University Mixed Chorus walking from Monument Park to their sound check at Yankee Stadium.
(Click image to view full size) St. John's University Mixed Chorus Director Kim Oler in Monument Park at Yankee Stadium speaking to the group about the day's schedule.
(Click image to view full size) Keri Becker, a St. John's Alumnus and employee in Marketing and Communications, sings during the pre-game sound check at Yankee Stadium.
(Click image to view full size) Mary Pelkowski, Director of Student Activities, proudly displays a baseball from the New York Yankees batting practice that was caught by St. John's University Mixed Chorus Director Kim Oler.
(Click image to view full size) Members of the St. John's University Mixed Chorus during the pre-game sound check at Yankee Stadium.
(Click image to view full size) Members of the St. John's University Mixed Chorus preparing their voices as they wait in the corridor behind Monument Park at Yankee Stadium.