h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Last night was showtime for the Choral Society that I sing in. We were invited to sing the National Anthem ["Star-spangled banner"] in Fenway Park, Boston, for a Red Sox game.

We were told to arrive at Gate E at 6:00 p.m. It's at the corner of Lansdown Street and Brookline Avenue. The men wore white long-sleeved shirts, black pants, and red bow ties.When we ere all gathered, we passed trough the turnstile, presenting our tickets and getting a cursory treatment with the metal detectors. A Red Sox functionary led us up and down stairs and through long corridors to the "Green Room," where we left our personal items and rehearsed our song. Then, around 6:30, we were led for what seemed like miles along more corridors in a counter-clockwise direction, emerging onto the playing field, where we stood on the sidelines while we were briefed on what was about to happen.

Basically, when the word was given, we were to quickly move to an area of the grass to the left of home plate, gather around the microphones, and watch the director like a hawk. There would be a slight delay in the sound of our singing coming back at us from the public address system. We were to ignore this sound and follow the director, tempo.

It was exciting and a little scary while it was happening, but it lasted no more than about 90 seconds, after which we were led back off the field and to the Green Room.

The white shirt was kind of ho, so I took it off and put on the short-sleeved light blue shirt that I had worn on the subway. We were told to go to some place called the Concourse, where we'd have our pictures taken with the State representative for the town where the chorus rehearses.

Finding the concourse required more miles of trudging counter-clockwise along long corridors, dodging crowds of spectators who were buying refreshments at counters all along the way.

After the pictures, we went to bleacher section 35, where our seats were.

After all the excitement of singing, I had trouble concentrating on the game, but at least the seat was comfortable and the air temperature was just about perfect. I left the game during the th inning and took public transportation back to my home.

So many typos .

"rough" was supposed to be "through."

"Ho" was supposed to be "hot."

And the th inning was ... fill in the number later?

I've sung the Star-spangled Banner at a sporting event - the Ryder Cup. The two teams in the event are America and Europe but Europe's Anthem has no words - it was played on instruments.

I could probably do pretty well singing an anthem that has no lyrics.

I didn't notice the typos, was too interested in the story

Deb

Congratulations- just getting the words right to our national anthem is a monumental task.

Coincidentally, I was watching an old film called 'Class of 61' last night. Half of the 1861 West Point class began singing, 'The Star-Spangled Banner', only to be interrupted by the other half singing 'Dixie'. Not only did it sound awful, but a fight broke out involving fists, an American flag, and a ceremonial cannon.

Compared to which, baseball is edifying.

You watched MY movie

I spent a week working on that one as a 'background artist'
(sometimes called an 'Extra')

There are a few places where I am clearly recognizable, especially working one of the cannons on 'Henry House Hill'

It is an interesting slice of history. It was supposed to be a pilot for a series, but nobody picked it up

F S

It was well made - and you know, right in the middle of First Manassas I said, 'Here come the Re-enactors.'

I'll have to go back and look at that part again.

Congrats to our h2g2 movie star.

Well, if you want to look;

There are a few shots of an artillery battery of about half a dozen cannons near the end. One of them has a brass barrel (it is an actual original gun, stamped with the manufacturer date and foundry)

I am on the right side behind the wheel. At one point we turn the gun because the officer thinks a group is friendly, when he realises they are really Yankees we begin to turn back into our old position. While turning it back I die spectacularly on screen.

As they are walking among the dead I am one of the bodies laying there.

F S

Oh, cool! I remember that scene! You shoulda got an Oscar.

Oh, great!

Six posts into my tale of glory, I'm upstaged by an extra with a Civil War cannon.

Well, for up to 90 seconds I was on national TV, though I had to share the spotlight with 62 other singers....

This makes me think we should suggest a Create theme to the team...'My brush with fame'...

I will tell Magwitch.

And being on national TV, well, I'm impressed. The only time I was on national TV, it was in Communist Romania...which is far less cool...

I am sorry paulh, I certainly did not mean to diminish your honour in singing the National Anthem at a major league baseball game. That is something to be proud of

I only mentioned my film because Dmitri referred to it by name, not many have seen it, so forgive me

It is great to know someone who has had an opportunity to entertain us at a national event.

They weren't beating the Rays by any chance

F S

Well, y'all have inspired a future Create theme, so thanks.

how many are there in the choir ?

I'd find it nerve-wrecking to sing at Fenway! Or any other stadium, actually. You're down on the pitch, not on a stage, and you get that timing delay you mentioned, too.

Plus it's Fenway Park - if you mess up, they let you know it.

"They weren't beating the Rays by any chance" [Florida Sailor]

They lost to the Colorado Rockies 8 to 2. Apparently our good
luck did not translate into a win. By the way, you are forgiven.
Chances for fame come so seldom for any of us that I can respect
your pride in being in that movie.

"y'all have inspired a future Create theme, so thanks." [Dmitri]

I've rubbed shoulders with a few celebrities -- Natalie Cole,
Gregory MacDonald,Jake Gyllenhaal. One of my college classmates
won millions of dollars in the Masaschusetts lottery.
IOmnteresitngly enough, he was the director of a college show
in which I shared the stage with Ms. Cole. We knew, even then,
that she would go far. Another classmate went on to be the
principal of a school on the Souyth Shore, until she was
chosen by audition for a featured song at the July 4th Boston
Pops a few years ago. A lot of people have talent...

"how many are there in the choir ?" [prof Animal Chaos]

During the regular season, about 85. When we sing outreach
concerts [show tunes, pop songs, etc.] at senior communities,
VA gospitals, etc., we have about 45. At Fenway Park, we
had 63.

"I'd find it nerve-wrecking to sing at Fenway!" [KB]

That's where a Someone else's problem field is essential. I
pretehnd that it's just me and the director and the other
singers."

I really screwed up the spelling for hospital and interestingly. My fingers just don ot obey me as much as they used to.

over spilt

cheers Paul