Plan Now to Celebrate MENC's National Anthem Day on September 14

With the help of MENC member Bruce Becker, students at the Queen's Grant Community School in Mint Hill, NC, found a colorful way to celebrate National Anthem Day in 2008.

September 14 is the 195th anniversary of the penning of  “The Star-Spangled Banner." Music educators can join with other schools across the country at 9 a.m. local time in a unique celebration of the national anthem and school music on Monday, September 14.

MENC created National Anthem Day, and urges music educators and others to celebrate it with school observances on September 14. Such observances present an opportunity to educate students about the national anthem and to demonstrate to the community the important role music teachers play in passing on America’s cultural heritage.

Music educators have been very creative in organizing observances on National Anthem Day in recent years. Events have included living flags, singing contests, history games, and pageants. Visit National Anthem Day for more information on planning an event.

  --Roz Fehr, July 14, 2009 © MENC: The National Association for Music Education