By Mark Abromaitis
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

The Maris Grove choir recently had the honor of leading a stadium full of patriotic fans in the National Anthem. The community choir performed the “Star Spangled Banner” at Frawley Stadium before the start of the July 25 Wilmington Blue Rocks game in front of more than 6,000 fans.

Maris Grove Travel Coordinator Peggy Fralinger helped set up the  arrangement. “We were already planning a trip to go to the game, but while booking the tickets, a Blue Rocks official asked us if we had anyone who would be willing to sing the anthem for them. And of course we do; we have our great choir!” she says. “The Blue Rocks representatives were as excited about the idea as we were.”

“It was an opportunity we just couldn’t turn down,” says choir member Margaret Cunningham. The choir, with more than 50 members, practiced for weeks in advance. “It was a bit nerve-racking because we had never sung unaccompanied before, but I think it worked out well and we held our own,” she says. “It’s obviously a song that everyone was pretty familiar with, and it was an experience we’ll never forget.”

The Wilmington Blue Rocks are the minor league affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. For more information about the team, log on to www.bluerocks.com.