Study Shows we Don't Know our National Anthem As Well as we Think   WASHINGTON, March 9, 2004 -- Nearly two out of three Americans (61 percent) don't know all of the words to our National Anthem, the Star- Spangled Banner, according to a recent Harris Interactive® survey.

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Has America lost its voice? Many music experts say yes, and it's due to budget cuts in school music programs.

Three in four Americans say school is where they learned the anthem and other patriotic songs. In fact, music class is where students learn key elements of American history and tales of United States heritage. Yet, the survey showed that only 39 percent of Americans could complete the third line of the Star Spangled banner correctly with " ... through the perilous fight."

Are you in the 2/3 that cannot sing the whole anthem? How far can you sing?  Try it and then check the words here: Words to Star Spangled Banner

"For years, school music classes have been the first to be cut and we are now seeing the ramifications first hand. If we can't sing our own national anthem, we can't voice pride in our country and what it stands for," says John Mahlmann, executive director, MENC, the National Association for Music Education. "Music in schools provides the platform for patriotism that stays with us for a lifetime."

Budget Cuts Silencing School Music Programs

Nationwide, music programs have experienced extensive funding cuts over the past several years. On average only four percent of the $450 billion spent on teaching our children goes to music, which means 55 percent of our students aren't getting adequate music education. And while local school boards struggle to close ongoing budget gaps and meet new federal requirements, music continues to be cut in districts across the country.

"When these programs are cut out of public schools, we're not simply depriving our children of music, but hindering the teaching of our nation's history and heritage," says Mahlmann. "Learning patriotic songs helps our children form bonds with their communities and instills pride in the American ideals we all hold close to our hearts - freedom, liberty and equality."

Survey Reveals Music Plays Large Role In Community

The greater exposure children have to school music classes directly impacts their community involvement as adults. The survey revealed that those with more music in school as children were further inclined to describe themselves as creative, a leader and "an American" versus those who only had one year or less of music class.

The study also showed direct links to music education and volunteerism. More than two in five (41 percent) adults who had at least five years of music volunteer, while only one in five (18 percent) adults who received less than one year of music volunteer.

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