Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2005 12:50:54 -0500
From: Michael Blakeslee <mikeb@menc.org>
To: ed <edsiegelmd@cox.net>
CC: Executive <executive@menc.org>
Dear Ed:
It was good to talk to you again.
I checked on the status of this, and the National Anthem Project structure does not have an Honorary Committee per se: the First Lady, is the project's honorary chair, but the only individuals we have listed as supporters are Members of Congress and one state governor. The other listed as supporters are all organizations. So I'm afraid we cannot extend an invitation to you to join the committee -- for the simple reason that a committee of private individuals, however interested and important, doesn't exist.
Of course, we would be more than happy to keep contact with you as our project and your initiative move forward. Please let me know of any new developments in your efforts. As we've discussed in previous conversations, we are not focused on the key (on the theory that many keys can be used, depending on the preferred range of the singers involved) but rather on the simple fact that all Americans should take pride in singing our anthem. But even if our focus is not exactly yours, it seems to me that we are united in the idea that more attention can and should be placed on the collective pride that can be fostered by more participation in singing this great song.
Thanks again for your ideas and activities.
--Mike Blakeslee
MENC
-----Original Message-----
From: ed [mailto:edsiegelmd@cox.net]
Sent: Wednesday, February 02, 2005 10:59 PM
To: Michael Blakeslee
Subject: Re: National Anthem Project
Dear Mike,
As you know, since last June I have received ongoing nationwide (even international) attention for my ten year crusade to make our National Anthem much more singable for the vast majority by lowering its key to G-major. Much of this attention was generated by my having persuaded my City Council to pass a resolution asking the Federal Government to make G-major the official key when audiences are asked to sing it. More recently, the New York Times cited me for contributing one of the most important ideas put forth in the year 2004.
If possible, so that I might more effectively further pursue this goal, it would be an honor and a pleasure to diligently serve on the Honorary Committee of the MENC's National Anthem Project. This would provide me added credibility as I attempt to get permission to lead The House of Representatives in singing of the "Star Spangled Banner" in G-major at the opening of the next Congress in January of 2006. It would also nicely dovetail with the National Anthem Project's present time line.
I am very grateful for being in the position to make this contribution to our culture, and would very greatly appreciate it if you could bring my request to the appropriate authority/committee.
All best wishes,
Ed Siegel, M.D.
P.S. I would be happy to provide any background information that might be useful.
