The K-6 Austin Catholic Elementary School students will perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” at 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 12 on the ACES playground (411 Fourth Ave. N.W.) to celebrate the launch of “The National Anthem Project: Restoring America’s Voice.”

The students will also present short readings on the history of the flag and display a large American flag for a group photo. For their participation in this first event, ACES will receive an All-Star School certificate from the National Anthem Project. This educational campaign to restore America’s voice through music education is sponsored by MENC: The National Association for Music Education.

The campaign launch comes on the heels of a recent Harris Poll that shows two out of three Americans don’t know the words to “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and many are unaware of the historical events that inspired the penning of the song. The campaign aims to shine the spotlight on the importance of school music programs, as this is where most Americans learn the national anthem and other patriotic songs.