DAR Honors Marian Anderson During 75th Anniversary

DAR Executive Officers traveled to Peabody Elementary School on April 7, 2014 to read to Kindergarten and PreK classes in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of Marian Anderson's historic performance at the Lincoln Memorial.

During the visit the Executive Officers read the book,"When Marian Sang," by Pam Munoz Ryan, pictures by Brian Selznick, and answered questions about Marian Anderson and the DAR. The Executives donated the book to each of the classrooms they read to. The Executives were joined by, Kara Peralta, a local DC DAR member and mother to a child who attends Peabody.

President General Lynn Young and First Vice President General Ann Dillon were greeted by a very excited kindergarten class.

President General Lynn Young reads from "When Marian Sang" and talked with the students about the historic performance of Marian Anderson on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on April 9, 1939 that was attended by 75,000 people.

First Vice President General Ann Dillon, shows the class a video of Marian Anderson's performance at the Lincoln Memorial.

Ann Dillon and Lynn Young with DAR member Kara Peralta and her daughter.

The Executive Officers enjoyed reading to the students and teaching them a little more about the legacy of Marian Anderson.

Additionally the Executives brought iPads to the classrooms in order to show clips of the Lincoln Memorial concert to the students.

The Kindergarten students asked great questions and were excited to have a new book in their classroom libraries. Some of the Executives asked the students what types of lessons we can learn from Marian Anderson's life and received answers from the kids such as "To be brave," "To not give up," and "To sing."

The Executives also visited with a PreK class of three year olds.

It was hard to pull the Executives away from the new friends they made at Peabody!

The DAR Executive Officers were grateful to be able to share in the celebration of Marian Anderson with the students at Peabody Elementary School. DAR will be donating a Marian Anderson book to each of the District of Columbia Public School libraries to help ensure that they all have access to learn about Marian Anderson's struggles, triumphs and impact on society.

DAR Executive Officers spent the morning of the 75th anniversary of the Marian Anderson concert attending a commemorative program at the Lincoln Memorial presented by the National Parks Service (NPS). The Washington Performing Arts Society (WPAS) assisted the National Parks Service on arranging this April 9th commemorative event and will be presenting the Marian Anderson Anniversary concert in Constitution Hall on April 12, 2014. President General Lynn Young visited with Reginald Van Lee, Chair of the WPAS Board of Directors, Jenny Bilfield, President of WPAS, and Murray Horwitz, WPAS Director of Special Projects, before the program.

Secretary of the Interior, Sally Jewell spoke at the commemorative program and talked about how children can learn so much history from our National Parks.

This 4th grade student presented an incredible first person Marian Anderson speech and performance of "My Country, 'Tis of Thee."

The third grade student choir from DC's Ross Elementary School performs "He's Got the Whole World" during the National Parks Service commemorative program.

President General Lynn Young congratulated the 3rd grade class on their wonderful performance during the commemoration.

The Washington Performing Arts Children of the Gospel Choir provided beautiful music during the commemoration.

President General Lynn Young congratulated the talented young Marian Anderson re-enactor for her wonderful performance.

The DAR Executive Officers at the Lincoln Memorial after attending the Marian Anderson commemoration.

President General Lynn Young thanked Jennifer Epstein, Education Specialist for the National Mall and Memorial Parks, and Bob Vogel, Lincoln Memorial Superintendent, for presenting such a great program and welcoming DAR to the special event.

"Of Thee We Sing: The Marian Anderson 75th Anniversary Celebration" program cover

DAR President General Lynn Young and DAR Executive Officers attend a reception at the Red Cross prior to the "Of Thee We Sing: The Marian Anderson 75th Anniversary Celebration" in DAR Constitution Hall.

Jenny Bilfiled, President & CEO of Washington Performing Arts (WPA), and Lynn Young, DAR President General. The DAR supported the WPA production of the "Of The We Sing" concert by donating the use of Constitution Hall and collaborating on many of the logistics of presenting the program.

DAR President General Lynn Young with some members of Marian Anderson's family who joined for the celebration.

DAR Constitution Hall on the night of the "Of Thee We Sing: The Marian Anderson 75th Anniversary Celebration" on April 12, 2014.

Some of the DAR Executive Officers prior to the concert. Many DAR members also attended the sold out performance of "Of Thee We Sing" in DAR Constitution Hall.

WPA President & CEO Jenny Bilfield welcomes the audience and thanks supporters and partners including recognizing President General Lynn Young and the enthusiastic support of the Daughters of the American Revolution on the "Of Thee We Sing" celebration concert.

The "Of Thee We Sing" performance included a narrative recounting Marian Anderson's life as well as musical selections honoring her legacy. Legendary opera star, and friend of Marian Anderson, Jessye Norman, hosted the performance. Alyson Cambridge and Solomon Howard gave rousing solo operatic performances. Malcom-Jamal Warner, MC Hammer and Wolf Blitzer helped narrate Marian Anderson's courageous and inspiring life story. 3WB (Marvin, Carvin, and BeBe Winans) entertained with a traditional spiritual followed by a powerful performance of "Wade In The Water" by legendary singer Dionne Warwick and American Idol winner Candice Glover.

The concert also included a recorded presentation of Marian Anderson singing Franz Schubert's "Ave Maria." The 75th anniversary celebration concluded with the entire audience joining to sing "America (My Country 'Tis of Thee)."