“Oh Say, Do You Hear?”— Have You Heard of the Abolitionist Star Spangled Banner?

University of Michigan musicologist Mark Clague is one of the nation’s foremost experts on “The Star-Spangled Banner,” among many other facets of American music.

As Independence Day approaches, Clague, an associate professor at the U-M School of Music, Theatre & Dance, participated in a conversation this week about the history of “The Star-Spangled Banner” alongside Naomi André, U-M LSA professor and musicologist, and Louise Toppin, professor of voice at SMTD. The programming is part of a newly announced theme semester at U-M focusing on democracy.