Kurn Hattin Children to Sing National Anthem at Red Sox Game, September 24

Westminster, Vermont—A group of lucky students from Kurn Hattin Homes for Children, members of the school’s Select Choir, has been invited to sing the Star Spangled Banner at the start of the September 24 Red Sox game against the Tampa Bay Rays. The game will be broacast on television and radio stations that generally carry Red Sox games at 7:10PM. Check local listings.

The children received the confirmation earlier this month from Red Sox Entertainment Manager, Dan Lyons. Lyons’ invite came in the midst of an already packed fall performance schedule for the children. However, Kurn Hattin Music Director, Lisa Bianconi, said “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our kids. We wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Bianconi also cited the importance of public performances for raising the children’s confidence and self-esteem. “These experiences can be the light bulb that goes off in a child’s mind when they say, ‘I can do this. I’m worth something.’”

The choir performed at a Portland Pirates hockey game in Maine last year, and the success of the experience prompted Kurn Hattin donor John Zimmerman to approach the Red Sox on behalf of the children. Zimmerman sent an email to Lyons, along with a video of the choir singing.

Kurn Hattin Music Director Lisa Bianconi said, “A lot of our students are big Sox fans, so I knew they’d be totally thrilled if it ever happened. But I thought it was a real long shot. It’s going to be a big day. We have another Boston performance that afternoon and two more in Greater Springfield, MA. the next day, but the children always rise to the occasion.”

The choir performs at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute the afternoon of the 24th, where they will present a donation of funds collected in memory of the late Tom Fahner. Fahner was Kurn Hattin’s Academic Director, who passed away in January and had received treatment at Dana Farber.

On September 25th, the Select Choir performs at Baystate Health D’Amour Center for Cancer Care at 10 AM and the Kurn Hattin Marching Band continues its 40-year tradition of performing at Eastern States Exposition (The Big E) at 5:00 PM.