Singers bring music to fans' ears

Imagine being the center of attention of more than 62,000 frenzied Phillies fans. The 35 members of the University's Glee Club had just that opportunity yesterday when they sang the national anthem before Game Two of the National League Championship Series. Just before 8 p.m., the Glee Club, sporting a traditional uniform of blue blazers, gray slacks and University ties, marched out onto the infield at Veterans Stadium. The members also wore smiles of excitement stretching from ear to ear. "I knew coming in there would be a lot of people," Wharton freshman Amol Dixit said, "but actually seeing 65,000 people in the stands was the biggest adrenaline rush I have ever felt." And when the club reached the last line of Francis Scott Key's most famous work, the crowd erupted into a chorus of "Let's Go Phils." Members said they will never forget the intensity of the cheering. "When the crowd started going wild," Engineering freshman Dave Lurie said, "I couldn't hold the last note because of the smile on my face." Glee Club officer-at-large Todd Shotz said this year's group had performed at a Phillies game once before. "We sang for the [Florida] Marlins game," the College sophomore said. "And when [Phillies management] asked us if we wanted to sing during the playoffs we were excited, but we didn't know if they were going to follow through. But they did." The group, which says it's the oldest singing group on campus, is led by Bruce Montgomery, who has been with the Glee Club for 38 years. Montgomery arranged the four-part version of the national anthem that was sung at last night's 14-3 Phillies loss. As the group left the field, they were proud of their minute in the spotlight. "When we will look back on our four years [of college]," Glee Club Vice President and College junior Seth Bloom said, "this is what will help form some of our fondest memories."