On September 12, 2023, the Central Kitsap High School Choir went to Seattle to perform the national anthem at a Mariners game, and not just any Mariners game- but the playoffs. The choir spent a short time practicing the week before, then performed on Tuesday.
“We audition with a video in January of the previous year, which is tricky because the choir we have in January is very different than the choir we have in fall.” said Alicia Rodenko, the Choir Director.
“It was really stressful, because we had a lot of new people who didn’t know the specific arrangement of the anthem, but we ended up pulling it off and found it amazing.” said Jennaveve Hernandez, one of the performing students.
Performing in a stadium filled with thousands of people would typically put most people in a panic- but these students pushed that feeling aside and got to experience something hardly anyone has experienced before.
“I hope every director gets to experience the kind of pride and joy I felt during their performance,” said Rodenko. “Holy cow – singing in a major league baseball park and seeing ourselves on the big screen while thousands of people cheer? It’s beyond, and the kids did a phenomenal job!”
“It’s kind of like a once in a lifetime thing,” said Maison Petersen, another choir student. “I don’t know really any other experience in my life where I’ll be able to sing in front of this whole group of people.”
Performing the anthem in front of such a large group also emphasizes patriotism, as Hernandez describes.
“There’s so many veterans out in the audience and so many people watching online who have served for us so it’s not just about supporting America as a country,” said Hernandez. “It’s about supporting the people who make up America.”
When they were not performing, the choir could not go far from the stadium, as they had little time between the sound check and the time of the performance. However, it was still a fun experience for the group.
“We have to be at the ballpark for sound check and then back for the performance at such awkward times that we need to stay close,” said Rodenko. “But there are lots of food vendors and the weather stayed dry during our break, so folks get food and hang out together.”
“We really only got food,” said Petersen. “We got to the Stadium and we did a sound check and we left for like an hour.”
This proves to be an exciting and amazing opportunity for each of the choir students: an opportunity to use their skills, not just publicly, but at such an important event.
“I’m not sure if folks here at CKHS know this, but we have a stellar vocal music program here,” said Rodenko. “I mean, people around the state and North West region know about the excellence of CK Choirs. So ensuring that they have the opportunity to take their talents into the field, so to speak, and really see themselves for the great choir they are is important.”
Overall, the trip is a success. With this event, the Choir was able to bond and spend time together.
“It was really fun. It was a lot of the technicalities of it,” said Hernandez. “It was a lot of standing, waiting for permission, security, but it was really nice to see, you know, the broadcasting world from the inside, and it was really fun to bond with my choir.”
“Field Trips with CK Choir are always fun – getting to chat and laugh with students while going to a fun event is a great way to bond-both as a teacher and students within and between our classes.” said Rodenko. “I love that I always know choir students will always be on their best behavior, too. Choir represents CK so well!”
