CENTER TWP — The New Testament Baptist Church jumped from the minors to the major leagues in just under a month.

On June 22, the church's 15-member choir sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” before a Butler BlueSox game at Pullman Park. On July 20, the choir will sing the national anthem to open a Pittsburgh Pirates, Miami Marlins contest at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.

“As a matter of fact, our church has stood for the old-time gospel and traditional songs and hymns. And because of our conservative view toward church music, our church will perform a traditional rendition of the national anthem. We will be singing a capella, which means no musical accompaniment,” said the Rev. Steve Fisher, the pastor of the church at 437 North Duffy Road.

Afterward, the choir will stay and watch the game from an outfield reserve section, said Fisher.

“When the choir sings, they sing pretty much in the outfield,” said Fisher. “The seats are adjacent to that out in the outfield.”

John Waterhouse, the assistant pastor and choir director for two years, is confident of the choir's performance and addressed the idea that “The Star-Spangled Banner” is difficult to sing.

“I have found that it is technically very difficult,” Waterhouse said. “Some of the notes are too high in places. The great thing is that having a choir with soprano, alto, tenor and bass is we have a great harmony.”

“We do a rendition of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' that has great harmony. It's different, very powerful for a public performance,” Waterhouse said.

In singing a capella, Waterhouse added, “You have to be able to start and end at the same time. Not a lot of people are familiar with this, but it takes a lot of practice.”

Fisher said the choir has been practicing the national anthem for almost two months during its regular Sunday night rehearsals.

Fisher said church members have known since the beginning of spring training that its choir was going to open the July 20 game.

Fisher said for years the church has been buying group tickets and taking people to Pirates games. When Pirates account executive of group sales Elliott Crichfield suggested singing the anthem before a game, Fisher said, “I talked to the choir director and he thought it was an excellent way to reach out to the community.”

Crichfield said the chance to sing the anthem was just one inducement to spur group sales, others being watching batting practice from the field or throwing out the first pitch.

“Basically, my job is to make sure that people who have done the group outing before can do it again,” said Crichfield.

Whether a church group, little league or business outing, Crichfield said a trip to the ballpark is “more about the experience than the performance.”

“Ninety-five percent of the groups I deal with couldn't tell you at the end of the day whether the team won or lost. They say we enjoyed the day with the family or business,” he said.

Fisher said he estimated a group of about 200 people — choir members, church members and their families — would make the trip to PNC Park in separate vehicles and rendezvous at the ballpark.

“My wife sings in the choir, so I better support my wife, not only the adult choir,” said Fisher of his wife, Wanda.

Waterhouse's wife, Roxanne, usually plays piano for the choir but will be singing at the game.

Fisher said it is the first time the choir has performed at a Pirates game.

“We were excited about the invitation because we are a small choir to be at Pullman Park, let alone PNC Park,” said Fisher.

It is a perfect fit for the church, said Fisher, “Baseball and love of country is all about faith and family.”

Waterhouse said he considered the choir's singing before the BlueSox game to be a good trial run for the choir's PNC Park appearance.

“We had no problem being heard,” Waterhouse said. “The spirit of the choir, the members realized how big our sound.”

“The choir is really geared up. You will be able to hear it in how it is delivered,” Waterhouse said.

Kasey Fisher of Chicora, a church member and choir member, said she was looking forward to singing “The Star-Spangled Banner.” She didn't consider the song particularly difficult.

“I've been singing it since first grade. I don't find it hard to sing,” she said.

As for the BlueSox appearance, she said, “Nobody fainted or passed out, so that was a good thing. I think that was a good warm-up for us.