My National Anthem Project Finale Experience!

I wasn't sure the Grand Finale of the National Anthem Project would ever really happen. We posted the first Web site for the project in April 2004. The official campaign launch was in March 2005. The Road Show went on throughout 2006. And suddenly, after literally years of meetings and trips and press calls and Web updates, we really were at the Washington Monument on June 14, 2007, with 5000 students from 42 states, all in their campaign T-shirts, all singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" with the U.S. Marine Band, Mrs. America, and the Oak Ridge Boys. It was a truly special occasion for music education!

I personally had a terrific time running one of the interactive games for kids with staffer NS, doing a little patriotic karaoke with staffer SM, helping our government relations team (fellow blogger ARN/CW/HS) welcome Members of Congress (this involved waiting on the corner of 15th and Independence til a car stopped and someone important-looking got out), and singing the national anthem along with the crowd (and my sister, who walked over from her downtown DC office to join us).

Thanks to MENC staffmembers BS and (fellow blogger) RF for taking so many fantastic photos. Many more will be posted in the August Teaching Music online news and on the National Anthem Project Web page soon!

Now I must make press calls for next week's Centennial Celebration. (Don't forget to register to join us for the live Webcast on June 26 -- there are still some free connections available for members.) Will blog to you from Orlando next Tuesday! Onward!! -- EWL

P.S. Speaking of press calls, MENC would like to hear from members who have had particular success working with the media to publicize the need for the community to support school music. If you have a story to share (possibly for publication in Teaching Music), please e-mail me at elizabethl@menc.org. Thanks!