Eighty Hazelwood School District band students from five different schools will gather to perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” at 6:45 p.m. on July 3 during pre-game ceremonies at Busch Stadium.
This is the fourth consecutive year that HSD band students have performed at the stadium during what is called “Band at the Ball Park.” Last year, 75 band members performed “God Bless America” before an audience of 47,000 people.
Student performers represent Brown, Cold Water, Jana and Walker elementary schools and Hazelwood North Middle School. A majority of the elementary school students are either first- or second-year performers.
“Because of our outstanding performance, the band was invited back again this year,” said Bill Volk, one of the District’s band directors. “The students are honored and entrusted to perform our country’s national anthem.
“I have to thank the elementary school PTAs for helping with the ticket orders we collected and I would like to thank all of the parents and parent volunteers who helped distribute T-shirts and tickets,” said Volk. “It was an amazing sight to see our parents hard at work at our first rehearsal to benefit our students.”
Volk will lead the students during the performance. More than 539 people, including staff, parents, grandparents, siblings, other family members, friends and neighbors from the District have purchased tickets to attend the game, where the St. Louis Cardinals will play the Colorado Rockies at 7:15 p.m.
The final rehearsal takes place Tuesday, June 26 at Cold Water Elementary from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. After the Busch Stadium performance, the students will get to enjoy the baseball game with their families and friends.