Meet the Winner of the Classical KING and Seattle Mariners National Anthem Contest
August 19, 2026
After hearing submissions from talented musicians across the Pacific Northwest, Classical KING and the Seattle Mariners are thrilled to announce this year’s National Anthem Contest winner: Alex Chen, cello.
On Saturday, August 22, Alex Chen will step onto the field at T-Mobile Park to perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” on cello before the Seattle Mariners take on the Chicago Cubs as part of Classical KING Night at the Ballpark.
Selected from a field of submissions representing the creativity and musical talent of our region, Alex Chen stood out for a thoughtful cello performance that brought a distinctive instrumental voice to the national anthem.
A Moment to Celebrate Local Talent
Classical KING Night at the Ballpark brings together two beloved Seattle institutions with a shared goal: celebrating local artists and creating memorable community experiences. The National Anthem Contest is one way we highlight the musicians who help make the Pacific Northwest such a vibrant place to live, work, and create.
This year’s contest invited vocalists, instrumentalists, solo performers, and ensembles from across the region to share their interpretation of the national anthem for the chance to perform in front of thousands of fans at T-Mobile Park.
After careful review by our judging panel, Alex Chen earned the opportunity to represent the incredible musical talent of our community on one of Seattle’s biggest stages.
Meet Alex Chen
Alex Chen is a young cellist, baseball fan, and member of the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra community whose winning submission offered a memorable instrumental interpretation of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” According to his family, Alex began playing cello around age six, following in the footsteps of two older siblings who also studied music: one on piano and one on violin.
While many anthem performances are sung, Alex’s cello performance highlights the expressive range of the instrument and brings a fresh perspective to a familiar tradition. His connection to the moment goes beyond music: Alex is also a huge baseball fan who attends Seattle Mariners games with his family and follows favorite players including Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodríguez, and Logan Gilbert.
Alex’s selection brings his love of music and baseball together on one of Seattle’s biggest stages. His winning submission stood out for its artistry and its heartfelt interpretation of the national anthem.
In His Family’s Words
For Alex’s family, the performance brings together two longtime loves: music and baseball. Alex grew up in a musical household and is also a devoted Mariners fan, making the opportunity to perform at T-Mobile Park especially meaningful. “We’re just so tremendously excited and so honored to be able to perform,” Alex’s father shared.
From Submission to Center Field
For many musicians, performing the national anthem at a professional sporting event is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. On August 22, Alex Chen will take that moment onto the field before thousands of Mariners fans and fellow members of the Classical KING community, an especially meaningful setting for a young musician whose family already shares a love of baseball and live music.
The performance is part of Classical KING Night at the Ballpark, an annual partnership that highlights the connection between music, community, and baseball while creating opportunities for artists and audiences to come together in new ways.
Join Us at the Ballpark
We hope you’ll join us at T-Mobile Park on August 22 to cheer on Alex Chen, connect with fellow Classical KING listeners, and enjoy a summer afternoon of baseball and music. First pitch is at 4:15PM.
Classical KING Night at the Ballpark is about more than a single performance. It’s about celebrating the artists who make our region special, supporting local talent, and bringing our community together through shared experiences.
Tickets are available through the Classical KING ticket offer here.
We’ll see you at the ballpark!
