Chorale Serenades Whales and Pirates

was honored to sing the National Anthem on Hometown Heroes Night at the Connecticut Whale hockey game against the Portland (Maine) Pirates Feb. 24.

It was a great experience for the contingent from the normally much larger chorale, and the GMC ensemble sounded like a gigantic chorus since the XL Center microphones feed into a powerful system. 

Soloist Patricia Barbano was a star of The Phantom of the Opera when it toured Europe some years ago.

Director Joe D'Eugenio conducted on the ice wearing street shoes — a perilous place to stand while waving one's arms. Chorale members watched him like hawks to be sure not to miss his great fall, which fortunately never came.  

Barbano nearly took off the XL Center roof when she hit a high C on the phrase, "... o'er the home of the FREE..." and the sports fans loved it. Then it was "Go Whale" as they proceeded to win over the Portland Pirates.

The Greater Middletown Chorale contingent met fellow Greater Middletown skaters backstage at the center as the Middlesex County Youth Hockey Team that practices at the Wesleyan University Spurrier-Snyder Rink made an appearance on ice at the game, too.  

Lots of families were present in the seats for a fun evening.

The GMC looks forward to a return engagement with the mighty Whale.