Former DHS Band Mom and White Sox Organist Retires

Nancy Faust just finished her 41st and final season as ballpark organist for the Chicago White Sox. She is the most famous stadium organist in the world, carrying on a disappearing tradition of live music at baseball games. Her clever song choices that comment on the players' names and the action on the field are well known throughout the major leagues, but my favorite thing about Nancy is that her son, Eric, was in the DHS band program. Eric was a fine percussionist for us back in the late 1990s. When Eric was a senior, we asked Nancy to join the marching band for a performance of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." She brought a Hammond organ to the auditorium and played along with the marching band at our Bandorama. Later that year, the band returned the favor and performed the national anthem at Comiskey Park before a White Sox game.

As a Cub fan, I have fond memories of Harry Caray's traditional singing of the song, which has now become a rather embarrassing tradition at Wrigley Field, as total non-singers come in to the booth to butcher the tune. As great a Cub tradition as this is, however, Harry Caray started it when he was an announcer on the south side. And who accompanied him every night? Nancy Faust, of course!

So, Nancy, our hats are off to you!

The media pays tribute:
N.Y. Times article
ESPN