The National Anthem Project Celebrates Music Education (NAPSA)}TheNational Anthem Project, a multiyear national campaign to reteach the wordsandsignificance of the national anthem and spotlight the importance of school music education, will culminate on Flag Day, June 14, 2007, with thousands of music students from across the country singing the national anthem at the Sylvan Theater on the Washington Monument Grounds in Washington, D.C. This effort is led by MENC: The National Association for Music Education. MENCconducted a recent Harris Poll that found that two out of three Americans don’t know the words to our national anthem, which is due in part to budget cuts to music programs. Kids learn songs of our history and heritage in school, and without these essential music programs, they may never learn the wordsorsignificance of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” This multiyear campaign included a grassroots mobile marketing tour, The National Anthem Project Road Show. The tour launched on January 3, 2006 at the Orange Bowl in Miami and continued for 10 months, culmi- nating in New York City on Octo- The National Anthem Project toured the country to raise awareness for music education. brate the success of the project and the importance of music education. The festivities will also include a concert by “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band. On June 15th, these music students will be singing other patriotic songs at various monuments on the National Mall. The National Anthem Project will conclude on June 16th in Annapolis, Maryland, where Drum Corps International will kick off its season with a concert of the most talented drum corps from around the country. All events are open to the public, but preregistration is strongly encouraged. To learn how to participate in the culmination of this national campaign,visit www. members and governmentofficials on the importance of music education and our national anthem. The thenationalanthemproject.org. The National Anthem Project was made possible by participating sponsors, including national presenting sponsor Jeep, national music industry sponsor NAMM, people across the country. The History Channel, American celebration of The National Anthem Project will include a record-breaking rendition of the national anthem performed by thousandsof citizens and students from around the nation to cele- ing, FedEx Corporation, ASCAP and Conn-Selmer. First Lady Laura Bush serves as the honorary chairperson for the project and the Oak Ridge Boys are the official musical ambassadors. ber 22, 2006. The Road Show stopped in 48 states and 62cities, educating parents, community tour reached more than 436,000 On June 14th, the culmination as well as The Gibson Foundation, Musical Salute, Eventive Market-
