Mother McAuley Choirs to Sing National Anthem at US Cellular Field

Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School's A Cappella Choir performs earlier this year on WGN's Morning News Show.

CHICAGO, IL -- Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School’s A Cappella and Mac Melody Choirs will be singing the National Anthem at Tuesday’s White Sox homestand.

The game starts at 7:10 p.m. where the Central Division first place Sox will be entertaining the Eastern Division first place Boston Red Sox at U.S. Cellular Field.

The game will be broadcast on Comcast SportsNet Chicago, WLS AM 890 and WRTO-AM 1200/Univision Radio.

In December, the Mother McAuley chorus sang at the Vatican as part of the American Federation of Pueri Cantores.

Most recently, McAuley’s A Cappella Choir performed on WGN’s Morning News Show.

The school’s A Cappella Choir focuses on A Cappella choral literature. Members must be high motivated and put in extensive work to increase music proficiency.

Mac Melody is a specialized group concentrating on the “show choir” aspect of music. The group also incorporates dancing into choral performances. Chorus membership is required for both specialized groups.

A Cappella Choir director Julie McKee said all the credit of the two musical groups singing the National Anthem goes to McAuley’s Father’s Club, which organized McAuley Night at Tuesday’s game.

“They got us the opportunity but we still needed to audition,” McKee said. “We submitted a video a few months back.”

The evening features a tailgate party for all the McAuley families. Thirty minutes before game time, the songsters and their families will participate in a parade around the warning track, where they will be able to get up close and personal with the players.

“We sang the national anthem a few years ago, but this is the first time both groups (A Cappella and Mac Melody) did it together which is neat,” McKee said. “It’s an intense unique experience.”

After the National Anthem, the girls will be able to relax and sit with their families while watching the game.

McKee admits there are a few Cubs fans among both choirs, who are also in first place in the National League’s Central Division, among the musical groups members.

“We’re super excited. The girls are over the moon, especially right now with all the excitement about the team,” McKee said. “I told the girls that even if they’re Cubs fans, on Tuesday they have to McAuley fans.”