THE WARRIOR Marching Band played the National Anthem at Fenway Park preceding Monday night’s Red Sox game against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Published in the September 25, 2015 edition.
WAKEFIELD — The Wakefield Warrior Marching Band played the National Anthem at Fenway Park preceding Monday night’s Red Sox game against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Following a celebration honoring David Ortiz for his 500th home run, the band took the field and performed a sophisticated rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. Band director Tom Bankert conducted the nearly 120 musicians, who looked relaxed and confident as their faces appeared on the Jumbotron.
The band left Wakefield by bus at 3 for their 7 p.m. performance. There were sound checks and run-throughs and by the time they filed out onto right field, the bleachers were filled with about 400 of their biggest fans and and an otherwise near capacity crowd who were there to honor Big Papi and watch the Sox beat the Rays.
NESN commentator Don Orsillo called it “a very nice rendition of the National Anthem” before focusing on Ortiz and his legendary career and then the starting lineup of the visiting team. By the time the band members found their seats in the sea of red and white shirts up in the bleachers, the clear evening sky was disappearing behind the lights of the park and the distinct feel of autumn baseball filled the air. The first six innings were less than thrilling, with the Rays leading 3-1 when the musicians boarded their three buses to head back to Wakefield. But the Red Sox rallied, beating the Rays 8-7 with an eighth inning grand slam by Xander Bogaerts. Did Wakefield’s performance of the Star Spangled Banner have anything to do with the win? Said one Wakefield Marching Band member, “You’re welcome.”
