Oh say, can local residents sing the nation's anthem?

That's what the National Anthem Project wants to find out during its visit to the Salt Palace Convention Center this week.

"It's our nation's song, it's a song that is deeply rooted in America's heritage," said Julie Bruhn, spokeswoman for the National Anthem Project. "I think it is really important that people know it."

The National Anthem Project is a national campaign designed to reteach Americans the lyrics to "The Star Spangled Banner" by traveling to all 50 states in 2006. The local stop includes several performances from school groups and a singing contest at the National Association for Music Education's National Conference on Thursday and today.

From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. today, local residents can learn all about "The Star-Spangled Banner" through several different displays and test their knowledge of its lyrics at the Salt Palace, 100 S. West Temple.

Aspiring performers can showcase their skills during the National Anthem Project All-Star Contest, where one winner from each state will be awarded a $1,000 donation to their local music program and an opportunity to perform at a concert in Washington, D.C., next year.

The first session of the contest took place Thursday.

Riley Clark was the third contestant to stand and sing the anthem.

"I learned it in kindergarten," the 17-year-old Layton resident said.

Clark said to know the anthem's words reflects one's allegiance.

"It's our country, and if we don't believe in our national anthem, we don't believe in our country," she said.

Contestants must sing the first verse of the anthem a cappella.

And just in case nerves cause a mental block, each contestant has a card with the words printed on it to use as a cheat sheet.

According to a Harris Poll conducted in 2004, two out of three Americans don't know the words to the national anthem.

"It's due in part to budget cuts to school music programs," Bruhn said. "Most people who did know the words, learned it in their music class. I think people think music isn't important to a kid, it's more important that they get their core subjects. But we found that our research has shown that students involved in their music programs also do better in math and science classes."

The National Anthem Project was the brainchild of the National Association for Music Education (MENC) to help raise awareness for the importance of school music programs.

Representatives from MENC will judge the All-Star contestants and the winners will be announced in 30 days and posted on the project's Web site, located at www.thenationalanthemproject.org.