O say can you sing?

Do you sing in the shower? I do. And I can tell you that I don’t sound anything like Jennifer Hudson at the Superbowl. But maybe you do. Or maybe you have a sister, a neighbor, a classmate, a choir director, or even a football coach who can belt out tunes like nobody’s business.

These are the people we hope will enter to win our national anthem singing contest, which launched yesterday and runs through April 13. The grand prize winner will receive a trip for two to D.C. to sing on Flag Day (June 14) at the National Museum of American History and at a Baltimore Orioles game in Oriole Park at Camden Yards, only a mile from where the giant flag was stitched together in 1813. A pretty fantastic prize, if you ask me!

The museum is sponsoring the contest, along with USA WEEKEND Magazine, to kick off our Star-Spangled Summer celebration. We are honoring the 30-by-34-foot flag that inspired the national anthem and is now displayed in a special environmentally-controlled chamber in the museum. In the exhibition (available in the museum and online), visitors are encouraged to think about the ways Americans have used the Star-Spangled Banner—both the flag and the song—to express diverse ideas of patriotism and national identity.

What does the American flag mean to you? Francis Scott Key was so inspired by the sight of it flying over Fort McHenry after a 25-hour assault by the British that he wrote a song about it. Nearly 200 years later, you’re invited to sing that song your way—and compete for a chance to perform near to the very same flag.

Here’s what you need to do to enter: Record yourself singing the Star-Spangled Banner (just you—no groups). Upload your video to YouTube and add it to our contest group. Finally, don’t forget to spread the word far and wide about your entry. The more people who view your video, the better your chances are for rising to the top of the competition. (See the official rules for details.)

As for me? It’s a good thing I’m not eligible to win. I don’t think my warbling would impress you—and certainly not the judges. Best of luck!

Dana Allen-Greil is the new media project manager at the National Museum of American History.

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Comments

[sohbet]

Yea, I love to sing in the shower, but I'm afraid I am not very good at it.

[Bebek Mağazaları]

Thanks.In Austria the custom of singing the national anthem has vanished and I doubt that more than 1 one 10 people even know the text of the first verse. Bebek Mağazaları

[Singing]

Who doesn't like to sing in the shower? We all do at some point of our lives. The beauty about it is when you do it, you'd like to believe you are Jennifer Hudson herself and will not take no for an answer. Singing is beautiful and I live for it!

[Alex]

Yea, I love to sing in the shower, but I'm afraid I am not very good at it. My roommate keeps complaining on a daily basis.

In Austria the custom of singing the national anthem has vanished and I doubt that more than 1 one 10 people even know the text of the first verse.
So, hold on to that wonderful custom!

[Tod Ramon]

Wow I saw her too. What a talent. Beautiful AND talented. She'll go a long way. Looks like a nice person too. I hope she does well out of this. Great contest :-)

[Justin]

Wow, I just saw the winning entry. She's got a great voice! Thanks for linking it here.

[Louis]

hi guys!
Dunno why but i like this one from Radio Head ;-) check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n02PhHaeRG4.

[NMAH]

Adam, Jordan Shelton of Arvada, Colo., was selected as the grand-prize winner. You can view her winning performance on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq6-hxM94i4

[Adam Dunk]

I would be interested to see who won this. The Star Spangled Banner is a difficult song to sing and there are some dreadful performances of it on youtube.
@Marshall. In my basketball league we don't sing the anthem either but I definitely believe it can add to the occasion.

[Susan]

I like singing but for some reason, singing the national anthem is harder to sing. I have seen good singers sound bad while singing it but it is an important song regardless.

[Marshall Tipkin]

Wow. Very interesting. I dont sing myself but I find it interesting that alot of events are lead off with the singing of the national anthem. I have a New York basketball league in Queens and there was some debate as to whether we would lead off with the singing of the national anthem before the start of the days play (we are under time constraints) but this just gives some food for thought.

[Kenneth Merrill]

Performance by singing the anthem in any manner that deviates from the approved, accepted and time-honored manner is a mistake and borders on disrespect. The statement that versions by Gaye and Houston were hits is distinctly in error. The practice of adding notes or trills to demonstrate the ability to do so is only self-serving.
Many of the problems of our culture are a consequence of individuals or groups perceiving that rules or procedures are only for others, adn deviations from those rules are an opportunity for personal benefit or aggrandizement. Current events on every level reflect unethical to illegal behavior, just because the opportunity is present and the individual doesn't have the respect or sense of personal responsibility to observe proper standards.
Your campaign to encourage individual interpretations of the national anthem is misguided at best, and destructive at worst. Please reconsider and do not promote this activity.