After going through competitive try-outs, a University music fraternity was chosen to sing the National Anthem at one of the games of the College World Series in June.
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, a social fraternity made up of mainly music majors, will sing at the fourth game of the series.
After being selected from 170 applicants who applied by video tape, representatives from the fraternity traveled to Omaha, Neb. to audition in March.
The fraternity was the only group from the South selected and one of only 17 groups selected to sing at the series, said Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia President Brian Drake.
Drake said his fraternity only has one trained vocalist and the others were all self-taught while in the fraternity.
Drake said the fraternity members are excited to sing at the series in front of more than 20,000 people and possibly on national television.
The fraternity began singing the national anthem three years ago at athletic events and soon became a favorite at the University, Drake said. This baseball season the members were asked to sing at every Sunday game.
Drake said his fraternity is affectionately called “Alex Box Stadium’s favorite” by the baseball announcers.
The members are proud of the national recognition they have received and are excited to go to the series in June.
Jeremy Duplechin, an ISDS senior, is one of the few members not majoring in music. He said singing the national anthem at the College World Series is the type of thing his fraternity strives to do.
Since they are college students, Duplechin said singing at an important game like the College World Series is a “big deal.”
Colin Catoe, a music education senior, said being able to sing the national anthem is important to him because of the meaning it has for America and the men and women who fight for their country.
Joseph Delos Reyes, a music education junior, said he is excited that his fraternity was selected for such an important opportunity.
“It is an honor to represent LSU and ourselves,” Delos Reyes said.