
Ring the National Anthem
July 14 @ 7:05 pm

Nationals vs. Braves
Registration Deadline June 24, 2022
We’re back to ring the National Anthem for the Washington Nationals Baseball Team by Handbell Musicians of America Area 3 will be July 14, 2022. Ringer tickets are $50.00 which includes a T-shirt that will be worn for the event and transportation to and from the ballpark from First Baptist Church Alexandria. The music must be memorized (AG36050 by John Benke) and is available from your favorite supply store. Cluster rehearsals will be held in June to refresh ringers on the music or for new ringers to the event. Family and guest tickets are $35.00 that does not include transportation to the ballpark. For more information and registration form email Jerry at jdeanhill@aol.com
Download Nationals Registration Form
Family and Guest Tickets
Family and Guest tickets are available at a cost of $35.00 per person. Please send request form and check to Jerry Hill, 4517 Ferry Landing Road, Alexandria, VA 22309. Please contact Jerry for tickets at jdeanhill@aol.com or 4517jerryhill@gmail.com or call 703 619-0590. A master list will be created for guest services at the ballpark in case someone loses their ticket. Have your guest make note of their seat numbers (store on phone or place in wallet). Guests may not ride with ringers to the ballpark. You will be arriving prior to the opening of the stadium.
Musical Score
AG36050 Star Spangled Banner by John Benke. The arrangement is recorded on YouTube under Handbell Musicians of America Perform the National Anthem.
Score Analysis
Rhythmic pattern of dotted eighth and sixteenth notes throughout the piece
Steady tempo using all LV and R as indicated in the composition
Measure 4 rit. into a tempo measure 5
Measure 33 complete cut off on fermata
Measure 34 slight rit. until shake at measure 37
Age Requirement
Everyone must be at least twelve (12) years old in order to perform the National Anthem. There must be a Parent/Guardian Permission Form completed as well as a signed copy of Area 3 Photography Policy for anyone under the age of 18. Email them or bring them with you to the mass rehearsal.
Dress and T-Shirt Size/Choir Ringing Assignment
T-shirts sizes are: Adult small, Adult medium, Adult large, Adult XL, Adult 2X.
Ringers will wear the T-shirt provided along with khaki/tan shorts or pants and casual footwear, no open-toe shoes. Ladies may choose to wear a khaki/tan skirt. You may wear a fanny pack or lightweight backpack under the shirt. There will be plastic containers for valuables in the cove area and will be guarded by an official from the Nationals organization. Please do not wear baseball caps, hats, or sunglasses during the performance. You may wear sunglasses during the sound check and to get in place for the presentation, then take them off.
Tentative Schedule July 14, 2022
Check-in will begin at 12 PM at First Baptist Church, 2932 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22302. T-shirts, tickets and ringer placement will be distributed.
12:00 – Check-In
1:00 – Rehearsal
2:15 – Leave for Ballpark
3:00 – Enter Nationals Park
4:00 – Sound Check
4:15 Dinner/Free Time at Ballpark
6:10 Assemble
6:56 National Anthem
7:00 Bells Away
Return to First Baptist Church after the Game
or Ride Home with Family and Friends
Bell Sets
The bells will be transported to the ballpark with the ringers in the storage compartments under the buses. All bell sets will be returned to First Baptist Church on the evening of the event after the game. Any choir willing to loan bells for the event is greatly appreciated. Please email the event coordinator. All loaned bells will be individually tagged.
Meals
Everyone is responsible for their own meals. Ringers should be able to have dinner after the sound check. All ringers must be in place at the called assemble time.
Weather
An update email will be sent Tuesday morning prior to the event. Please mark all rain gear. It will be stored in the cove during the presentation. We will not ring the National Anthem in the rain, but please don’t assume that we are not ringing it. If the game is a go, we will ring the National Anthem.
Directors
Assign someone the positions of Bell Case Individual and Line-Up Director. Email this information to jdeanhill@aol.com. All choirs will need a Bell Case Individual. We need a giant team effort if we are to move all bells in their cases as fast as necessary. All choirs and ringers will be color-coded. Please stay within these color-coded choirs as they will be used in the staging at First Baptist, the ballpark as well as for transportation. It is critical that we move safely and swiftly
Guest Relations
If any out-of-town guests need assistance with transportation/lodging in Alexandria, please email the event coordinator. For a list of restaurants in the area, email the event coordinator.
Driving Directions to First Baptist Church Alexandria, VA
First Baptist Church is located at 2932 King Street Alexandria, VA
You may reach the church either by taking I-395 to the King Street exit towards Alexandria or I-495 to the Telegraph Road exit then right on Duke Street, left on Callahan Drive and left on King Street.