Williston Students to Sing at Fenway

As they stroll around the park, taking in the sights and sounds of the holiday season, visitors to Fenway Park on November 30 might also perk their ears at renditions of Williston Northampton favorites, “O Williston” and “Sammy.”

As part of the Fenway Park Holiday Bash, a winter wonderland-themed event on Friday night, 14 Widdigers and Caterwaulers will perform Christmas carols and group favorites.

Ben Demerath, head of the Fine and Performing Arts Department, said he was both surprised and pleased to get a call from Red Sox management in late November, asking the a cappella groups to perform.

“It was very last minute. They asked right before break,” he said. “It’s a great thing for the kids, a good experience for them.”

This is not the first time Williston students have been featured at the Boston ballpark. The Widdigers and Caterwaulers have performed the national anthem several times in the past and Demerath has also sung the anthem at Fenway before ballgames a few times himself.

For the holiday event this year, Demerath and Catherine Kay, director of the Widdigers, selected a smaller group of students to make the trip. The students will spend this week practicing carols before heading to Fenway on Friday. Starting at 6:00 p.m., while a LED musical called “Fenway Park Winter Light Show” appears on the Green Monster, the students will spend an hour or two singing for strolling visitors.

The event—which also features player meet-and-greets, holiday photos, and a Fenway Winter Village on the concourse—is open to the public, although the Red Sox recommends that fans visit the redsox.com/holidays page to RSVP.

As for Demerath, he’s hoping that the students luck out when it comes to where they perform in the ballpark—and end up standing somewhere warm.

“I’m hoping we’re in the 500 Club,” he said, “In the sky box, the luxury suite zone.”

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