PCL1 Oklahoma City Comets

OKC Dodgers and The Oklahoman Host 2018 National Anthem Tryouts Saturday at Penn Square Mall

Published on March 1, 2018 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release


OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma City Dodgers and The Oklahoman will host open auditions Saturday for musical performers to sing or play "The Star-Spangled Banner" before Dodgers home games throughout the 2018 baseball season. National Anthem Tryouts presented by The Oklahoman and the OKC Dodgers will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the center court at Penn Square Mall in Oklahoma City.

All 170 audition time slots were filled by early February via online registration that began in late January.

Performers still interested in auditioning can join a standby list at Penn Square Mall starting at 10 a.m. Saturday when the mall opens. If the tryouts run ahead of schedule, or if a performer does not show up for a scheduled time, those in the standby line will be chosen to audition. Standby performers will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis and are encouraged to arrive early. On average, 20-30 standby performers are given the opportunity to audition each year.

Moore resident Heather Appel-Bailey, 33, joined the standby line for the 2017 National Anthem Tryouts and received the opportunity to audition. The life-long singer and current choir director came to Penn Square Mall pre-registered to audition as part of a duet, however the remaining registration spots had filled up before she was able to also sign up as a soloist. The day of the event, she successfully secured a standby audition.

Appel-Bailey said she "would absolutely encourage anyone who gets a late start at the registration process to sign up as a standby."

Out of the open audition process, she was selected to perform the national anthem at an OKC Dodgers home game last season at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

"The experience at the game was great," she said. "It was a great opportunity to hang out with my friends and enjoy a game. The crowd is always respectful, and upon meeting up with a staff member, the rehearsal process and performance is a piece of cake. It's a really great opportunity."

Individuals auditioning at Penn Square Mall Saturday will take the stage in front of a live audience and a judging panel consisting of editors and columnists from The Oklahoman, city officials and community leaders. Winners will be selected based on voice quality, creative style and stage presence.

Winners from the auditions will perform at games throughout the Dodgers' 2018 season at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, with the grand prize winner performing as part of Opening Weekend Saturday, April 14 when the Dodgers play the New Orleans Baby Cakes.

This marks the eighth straight year for the National Anthem Tryouts, which draw a wide variety of performers from the Oklahoma City area as well as from across the state of Oklahoma and even a handful from surrounding states.

"This annual event creates a lively and electric atmosphere in the center of a bustling Penn Square Mall each spring," Oklahoma City Dodgers President/General Manager Michael Byrnes said. "Performing on stage in front of a live audience brings a high level of excitement to the auditions, which serve as a fun kickoff point for our season."

The OKC Dodgers' home opener is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Tuesday, April 10 against the Round Rock Express at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Group and season ticket packages are currently available for the 2018 season.

For more information about National Anthem Tryouts presented by The Oklahoman and the Oklahoma City Dodgers, 2018 season tickets, or group outings, call (405) 218-1000 or visit okcdodgers.com.

Check out the Oklahoma City Comets Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Pacific Coast League Stories from March 1, 2018


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central