April 9, 2014

NEW MADRID -- It is the largest audience the 25 students have ever performed for but they are expecting a home run. On June 20, members of the choir program at New Madrid County Central High School will travel to Busch Stadium in St. Louis where they will take the field during the seventh inning stretch to lead the crowd in singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."...

Bethanie Ward, New Madrid County Central High School choir director, plays the piano as choir members rehearse "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." Approximately 25 NMCC students plan to perform during the seventh-inning stretch when the St. Louis Cardinals play the Philadelphia Phillies on June 20 in St. Louis. (Jill Bock, Staff)
Bethanie Ward, New Madrid County Central High School choir director, plays the piano as choir members rehearse "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." Approximately 25 NMCC students plan to perform during the seventh-inning stretch when the St. Louis Cardinals play the Philadelphia Phillies on June 20 in St. Louis. (Jill Bock, Staff)

NEW MADRID -- It is the largest audience the 25 students have ever performed for but they are expecting a home run.

On June 20, members of the choir program at New Madrid County Central High School will travel to Busch Stadium in St. Louis where they will take the field during the seventh inning stretch to lead the crowd in singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."

The trip was organized by Bethanie Ward, NMCC choir director. Ward, who is in her first year at NMCC, explained she had the opportunity to do this with students at a previous job.

"It is fun experience. The community really rallied behind us and came out to support us," she said.

And the NMCC students are getting a lot of support as well.

The St. Louis Cardinals' organization allows for up to three musical groups per game to come on to the field and give their students/performers the opportunity to perform. According to Ward, each group is asked to sell a minimum of 300 tickets at a discounted rate, which not only helps the Cardinal organization, but also allows for the performers to have a mini-cheering section in the sea of over 40,000 fans at the game.

For the full story, see today's e-edition.

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