Baltimore Choir Commemorates 100th Anniv Of City Anthem
BALTIMORE (WJZ)--A celebration of pride at City Hall today takes generations of city residents back to school.
Pat Warren has more.
You'll find renditions of the Baltimore City anthem, like one performed back in 1921 posted on Youtube and another beautifully performed today by the Institute of Notre Dame Select Choir.
The choir's performance commemorates the 100th anniversary of the first performance of the Baltimore City anthem, "Baltimore, Our Baltimore."
"We are filled with pride at the singing of the Star Spangled Banner which was written locally by Francis Scott Key, I hope to revive a similar affection for our local anthem," said Baltimore May Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.
The anthem was first performed in February 22nd 1916 and written by poet and Baltimore Sun newspaper columnist Folger McKinsey in response to a contest held by then-Mayor James H. Preston. The contest prize was $250.
"The sisters taught us that song and I felt like I wanted to sing along cause I remember learning that song at the Institute of Notre Dame," said Diana Franz, former Institute of Notre Dame student
Officials say the city anthem used to be taught in all city schools and played by parades and other official city events.
