More than 500 Schools Nationwide to Sing the National Anthem Together

More than 500 Schools Nationwide to Sing the National Anthem Together

National Association for Music Education Organizes Large-Scale Singing of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' on Sept. 14 at 9 a.m.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- On Sept. 14, 1814, Francis Scott Key penned the lyrics to "The Star-Spangled Banner." Nearly two centuries later, the National Anthem Project celebrates this patriotic moment by calling for students across the country to step outside their classrooms and sing it in unison at 9 a.m. (local time) on Sept. 14, 2005. To date, more than 500 schools are participating in the celebration.

The National Anthem Project is a multi-year effort to re-teach Americans the lyrics to "The Star-Spangled Banner." Two out of three Americans don't know the words, according to a Harris Poll. The campaign to restore America's voice launched on the steps of the United States Capitol in Washington D.C. on March 10, 2005, and is led by the National Association for Music Education (MENC), the world's largest arts education association and the only one that addresses all facets of music education. Mrs. Laura Bush serves as Honorary Chairperson of the program.

The organization is calling on its 120,000 members, including music teachers who reach 52 million American students in elementary, middle, high school and college, to turn the spotlight on the importance of music education, as this is where most Americans learn the national anthem and other patriotic songs. In addition, mayors around the country are issuing proclamations to declare September 14 "National Anthem Project Day" in their towns and are actively encouraging their constituents to learn the words to "The Star-Spangled Banner."

"Our goal is to have millions of patriotic voices rising in unison around the country," says John J. Mahlmann, Executive Director, MENC. "We want people to stop whatever they're doing -- whether they're at the office, at home or at school -- and join this effort. We hope this program reminds people of the importance of learning our national anthem, and school music programs where we learn the music of our heritage. Let's restore America's voice!"

"The Star-Spangled Banner" was written by Key, a Washington attorney, during the War of 1812. On the night of Sept. 13, 1814, he watched an attack by the British navy at Fort McHenry. When dawn broke, Key was expecting to find Baltimore under British control, but was stunned to see a battered American flag waving in the sunrise. He was so inspired he wrote the poem "In Defense of Fort McHenry," which later became known as The Star Spangled Banner when it was set to an adaptation of the tune, "To Anacreon in Heaven," attributed to John Stafford Smith. It became America's national anthem in 1931.

The nationwide initiative is supported by the Jeep(R) brand, the project's National Presenting Sponsor. The multi-faceted campaign will include education initiatives in schools across the country, special performances and alliances with professional sporting events, and an extensive mobile marketing tour stopping in cities nationwide. The initiative is led by the project's official musical ambassadors, The Oak Ridge Boys, and is supported by leading organizations across the country, including The Girls Scouts of the U.S.A., The American Legion and The History Channel.

High-Level Support

The National Anthem Project is sponsored by The Jeep brand as National Presenting Sponsor and is supported by leading organizations and individuals nationwide. Supporters include Keith Lockhart, Garrison Keillor, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Congressional Arts Caucus and the White House Commission on Remembrance.

For more information about how to get involved and support the National Anthem Project and school music education, please visit http://www.thenationalanthemproject.org/ .

About MENC

MENC: The National Association for Music Education, the world's largest arts education organization, is the only association that addresses all aspects of music education. More than 120,000 members represent all levels of teaching from preschool to graduate school. Since 1907, MENC has worked to ensure that every student has access to a well-balanced, comprehensive, and high-quality program of music instruction taught by qualified teachers. MENC's activities and resources have been largely responsible for the establishment of music education as a profession, for the promotion and guidance of music study as an integral part of the school curriculum, and for the development of the National Standards for Arts Education.

Media Contact: Lisa Sabori 312-396-9760 Cell: 312-545-3845 lisa.sabori@zenogroup.com

Source: The National Anthem Project

CONTACT: Lisa Sabori for The National Anthem Project, +1-312-396-9760, Cell: +1-312-545-3845, lisa.sabori@zenogroup.com

Web site: http://www.thenationalanthemproject.org/

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