After discovering that most Americans don't know all the words to "The Star-Spangled Banner," the National Anthem Project is on a yearlong 50-city tour to reteach the anthem's words and promote music in schools. After all, where else do you learn lyrics like "bombs bursting in air?"

Part of the tour is a sort of patriotic bonanza in which people can compete to sing the anthem and win money for their school music program. It is just one event at this week's National Association for Music Education's conference at the Salt Palace Convention Center. Music teachers from across the country are training and discussing the importance of music education today.

Seven-year-old Eleanor Bouley was the first to step up to the microphone. Thank CDs for helping her learn the words to what some people consider one of the hardest songs in America. Or thank her mom who sometimes sang it in the kitchen. Even so, Eleanor was a little nervous Thursday.

"I usually sing just at my house," she said.

While the rest of us may be singing in the shower, Eleanor and other contestants stood in front of a crowd Thursday. If you want to try your luck at winning, show up today for the finale of the singing competition.

Just look for the red, white and blue to find the anthem project.

Around the convention center Thursday, music teachers networked and gathered ideas at the dozens of booths boasting everything from African drums and computer programs to information about Weber State.

Around noon, an opera aria drifted out of one of the halls. Later on there would be a group singalong. This was a never-ending concert for a group of people whose lives are drenched in music.

But the National Anthem Project thinks the country isn't drenched enough. According to a survey of 2,200 American adults, 61 percent don't know all the words to "The Star-Spangled Banner." More than 70 percent of people surveyed learned the song in school music class. Most of the folks who could identify lyrics correctly had taken at least five years of music classes in school while growing up.

Promoting music education is a passion for the thousands of teachers attending the conference.

"[Music] makes us more human," said Mark Nelson, a music teacher from Florida. "It's the only class where students are in touch with their emotions, feeling more alive and sensitive."

And, perhaps, occasionally more patriotic.

jlyon@sltrib.com

Test your pipes

* What: National Anthem Project singing competition

* Where: Salt Palace Convention Center, exhibit hall E

* When: Today 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.