Local Bands To Perform At Wizards Game

Lakeview and Edgewood middle schools' bands will perform "America the Beautiful" during the seventh-inning stretch Wednesday at the Fort Wayne Wizards baseball game.

Approximately 104 seventh- and eighth-grade students will participate in the performance.

Ever since Sept. 11, it has become a tradition during the Wizards' game for either "America the Beautiful" or "God Bless America" to be performed. The Warsaw middle school students form the largest group to play during the stretch.

To be a part of the performance, the students had to memorize the song and buy their own ticket. Band directors expected about 50 students would volunteer, but were just as happy to have twice that number. Each band member will be decked out in his or her band uniform.

"This is the first time the bands have done something like this," said band director Leif Hall. "We're honored."

During class, the bands prepared and will rehearse once again before the game. Since the group is the largest to ever have performed, band director Donna Persons said they will be called down to the field to participate in many of the minor league baseball team's activities. They are expected to be on the field "a lot," she said. Although she said she's never been to a Wizards baseball game before, Persons said she understands it will be a family-oriented event.

Game time is 6 p.m. and the Wizards are playing against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. Tickets are still available for anyone interested in attending the game and supporting the middle school students. Tickets begin at $6.50 apiece.

Persons said, "It's as American as baseball, hot dogs and apple pie. What a way to end the year!"

This is the 10th performance for the bands this year and many rehearsals later. Band directors organizing this event for the students are Persons, Hall, Mickey Ratliff and Martin Becker.

Hall said, "The kids have worked very hard and are ready."