National
Anthem Project
September 14, 2005
 Elementary
school students across Plano ISD took a few moments on Wednesday,
September 14, to participate in "The National Anthem Project." This
project, led by MENC: The National Association for Music Education,
spotlights
the importance of music education for all Americans and the
191st anniversary of the writing of this historic patriotic text.
Memorial Elementary School Music
Specialist Kristen Roemer dicussed the actual size of stars on
the original U.S. Flag with kindergarten students during the school's
September 14 National Anthem Project celebration.
"After
a recent survey found that two out of three Americans did not
know the words to The Star Spangled Banner, MENC and local music
educators
made a commitment to improve this statistic," noted Kathy
Kuddes, Plano ISD Director of Fine Arts. "Students have
been studied topics related to the National Anthem through daily
announcements,
social studies classes and music lessons."
Some interesting facts include:
- The tune that we now sing as the "Star-Spangled Banner" was
first a theme song for a wealthy men's club entitled "To
Anacreon in heaven."
- The poem, by Dr. Francis Scott Key,
was originally called "The
Defense of Fort McHenry."
- This particular battle took place
on September 14, 1814.
- The text and tune first came together when
they were published as a kind of sheet music called "a broadside."
- There
are actually four verses to the poem, although we typically
sing only the first verse today.
- The song did not become the official
National Anthem of the United States of America until 1931.
- The
flag that inspired the original poem, by flying over the ramparts
of Fort McHenry, is now being restored and hangs
in
the Smithsonian Institution's Museum of American History
in Washington, D.C.
In addition to facts about the Anthem, and practicing its challenging
melody, students have also been learning about the details of the
official code regarding the appropriate use and performance of
the song at public events. The code, adopted by the official National
Anthem Committee in 1942, advocated that emphasis be placed on
the singing of the anthem, as they felt that the message of the
text was of "paramount importance."
Leaders are encouraged
to invite participation from the audience members, who are instructioned
to stand facing the flag "in an attitude of respectful attention." The
code further admonishes against the use of "sophisticated
concert versions" of the anthem or modifications of rhythm
or pitch that would "impair the beauty and effectiveness" of
the text and tune.
On September 14, the anniversary of its writing, many school students,
faculty and staff wore red, white and blue and stopped
for a performance with other students across the nation at 9:00
a.m.
as part of The
National Anthem Project.
Among the schools that planned observances were:
Memorial Elementary
Students will tune in to KMBN (Memorial Broadcast Network), the
school broadcast network, for a special presentation given by representatives
of the student body. Interesting/little known facts about the Star
Spangled Banner will be read, the Drama Club will perform a dramatic
reading of the text to the poem for the song, including the final
three verses that are typically left out, promptly at 9am they
will join in with other students across the nation and sing the
National Anthem. In honor of this day, the entire student body
and staff will wear red/white/blue so that they can show their
support and appreciation for what the National Anthem means to
our nation.
Thomas Elementary
Student have received a daily fact about
the National Anthem begining September 7th, family and friends
are invited to join the student to encircle the interior of the
building for the performance of the National Anthem.
Hughston
Elementary
Students will wear red, white and blue,
listen to a narrative about Key's experiences, join in singing
verse one of the National Anthem and hear from a select group
of students who are preparing performances of the additional
verses.
Rose Haggar Elementary
Students have been studying the War
of 1812, Dr. Key and his experiences, they will wear read, white
and blue OR the MENC "O' Say Can You Sing the National Anthem" t-shirts
and join as a campus in a performance of the National Anthem
at 9:00 a.m.
Hickey, Hunt and Mathews Elementaries
All plan to join in the
performance of the National Anthem at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday
morning
This program is a non-partisan effort in which all Americans can
participate. The students of Plano ISD are inviting all Americans
to get involved. More facts and information on the National Anthem
Project can be found on-line at
Related Link
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