Bountiful 15-year-old wins anthem contest

P.J. Schwartz definitely knows the words to the national anthem.

The 15-year-old Bountiful resident was recently selected as the National Anthem Project All-Star Contest winner for the state of Utah.

Schwartz won $1,000 for his school's music department and will have the opportunity to compete against National Anthem Project All-Star winners from across the country in 2007 in Washington, D.C.

The Utah All-Star competition was held at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City April 20 and 21 as part of the National Anthem Project's visit to Utah. Participants were required to sing the first verse of "The Star Spangled Banner" a cappella.

The National Anthem Project was the brainchild of the National Association for Music Education to help raise awareness of the importance of school music programs. It is a national campaign designed to reteach Americans the lyrics to "The Star Spangled Banner" by traveling to all 50 states in 2006.

Schwartz's mother, Barbara, said he likes the national anthem.

"Last year he sang it at a Utah Jazz game and he's sung it at a University of Utah game," she said.