Chiefs to Welcome Two Famous Musicians To O'Brien Field
May 18, 2007 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Peoria Chiefs News Release
Peoria, IL- The Peoria Chiefs are happy to announce the addition of two popular musicians to their in-stadium entertainment on the next home stand, Indiana University music professor and two-time Grammy Award winning singer Sylvia McNair and Chicago Cubs organist Gary Pressy.
On Friday May 25th, Sylvia McNair will perform the National Anthem prior to the 6:30 PM game. Ms. McNair has made over 70 recordings ranging from classical to Broadway Musicals. She will perform on Illini Night with Coach Bruce Weber and Illini basketball players in attendance. Ms. McNair performed the Anthem at this season's Illinois-Indiana basketball game in Bloomington, IN.
A native of Mansfield, Ohio, McNair earned a Masters degree from the Indiana University School of Music and has received honorary doctorates from Westminster College and IU. She is currently on the voice faculty at IU's Jacobs School of Music. She won a Grammy Award in 1986 for The Echoing Air and also sang on the 1994 Grammy Award winning recording of Handel's Semele. She has performed in Operas all over the world including Vienna, Salzburg, London, San Francisco and New York. She is also a frequent guest soloist with major European and American orchestras.
Pressy, who has been the Cubs organist since Opening Day 1987, will perform throughout the entire first game of the Chiefs-Rattlers double header on Sunday May 27th. Pressy will play inside the main gate starting at 1:00 pm when the gates open and then he will perform the National Anthem and Take Me Out to the Ballgame while also playing tradition baseball music throughout the game. Pressy will be playing on a Lowrey Organ provided courtesy of Don's Music Land in Peoria. Pressy began playing the organ at high school hockey games in Crestwood, IL in 1977 at the Southwest Ice Arena where he still works and plays in the winter months.
This is Pressy's 20th consecutive season as the Official Organist of the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field and he will play in his 16,000th straight game later in the season. Before joining the Cubs, Pressy played for colleges in Chicago and at the old Chicago Stadium for Bulls games. While at Wrigley, Pressy has played in the 1989, 1998 and 2003 postseasons and the 1990 All-Star Game. He also performed at Holy Name Cathedral during the funeral for legendary Cubs broadcaster Jack Brickhouse.
The Chiefs are home for eight straight games from Monday May 21st to Monday May 28th. Monday May 21st is Mountain Dew Half-Price Monday and Illinois Football Coach Ron Zook will throw out a first pitch while Tuesday May 22nd is free all-you-can-eat hot dogs and popcorn. Wednesday May 23rd is Senior Night with $6 tickets for those 55 and older. Thursday May 24th is the 5th Anniversary of O'Brien Field with a Stadium Replica Giveaway, Throwback Jerseys and post-game Fireworks. Friday May 25th is Illini Night with Coach Bruce Weber, Illini players and the Zooperstars. Saturday May 26th there is a post-game Fireworks show. Sunday May 27th is a 2:00 doubleheader with a Jeff Samardzija Bobblehead Giveaway and player autographs. Monday May 28th is a 2:00 Memorial Day game with Military Appreciation Day and Half-Price Tickets.
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