Members of CM Community Sing National Anthem before BC Basketball Game

Chestnut Hill, Mass.— Several members of the CM community sang the National Anthem prior to a Boston College men’s basketball game in February.

Mr. Tom Beatty '68, Mr. Paul Fitzgerald P'16, Mr. Michael Maloney ’18, Mr. Brendan Julian ’19, and Mr. James O’Donovan ’20, sang the anthem inside Boston College’s Conte Forum prior to the men's basketball game against North Carolina State.

The moment proved a special one for each CM community member.

“The bond of the CM Brotherhood weaves its way through unforeseen venues when one least expects it,” said Mr. Beatty, the former CM Principal who retired last year after a 45-year tenure.

“The serendipity of singing the National Anthem with a CM parent, two CM graduates and a CM senior in front of thousands of fans at a BC basketball game for me was as remarkable as it was unexpected.”

Mr. Beatty and Mr. Fitzgerald, a BC alumnus and parent of a CM alumnus, both belong to the Boston Saengerfest Men’s Chorus, which headlined the performance.

“As a Boston College alumnus, it was a very memorable experience to walk out onto the basketball court at Conte Forum,” said Mr. Fitzgerald.

Mr. Julian, a freshman at BC, sang as a member of the Heightsmen of Boston College, the school’s only all-male a cappella group. During his time at CM, Mr. Julian participated in the Baker Street Boys A Capella Club alongside Mr. O’Donovan, who currently serves as a member during his senior year at CM.

The Baker Street Boys A Capella Club, founded three years ago, serves as the latest installment of CM’s storied music programming.

In 1957, The CM Music Program began with the Glee Club— the school’s first extracurricular activity. Dr. Berj Zamkochian, a world-class performer who played in front of pope and presidents, served as its conductor. Under Zamkochian’s direction, the Glee Club performed at Symphony Hall and recorded an album.

Since then, the CM’s music program has expanded to include the Baker Street Boys, Liturgical Choir, and Jazz Band. Thanks to the opportunities provided by each club, graduates from CM have matriculated to world-class music programs such as Harvard University, Northwestern, the University of California, and Berklee School of Music.

The CM alumni who sang the National Anthem at BC believe their individual experiences in the CM Music Program will bond each other for life.

“Even though I graduated from Catholic Memorial almost two years ago, I still feel connected to my CM family,” said Mr. Maloney.