Tenor in Dr. Harrison Sheckler's Virtual Choir & Orchestra:

262 Musicians from All 50 States Unite in Virtual Performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner" Honoring America's 250th Anniversary

National virtual choir and orchestra features participants from every U.S. state, along with Belgium, Brazil, and Taiwan

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (July 2, 2026) — As America marks its 250th anniversary, pianist, composer, educator, and conductor Dr. Harrison Sheckler has brought together 262 musicians from across the United States—and around the world—for a virtual performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Presented by The Sheckler Virtual Choir & Orchestra, the project features musicians representing all 50 U.S. states, along with international participants from Belgium, Brazil, and Taiwan, making it one of the largest geographically representative virtual performances created in celebration of America's Semiquincentennial.

Premiering on YouTube on July 2, 2026, the performance is a tribute to the nation's history, its people, and the unifying power of music as Americans commemorate 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The ensemble includes:

• Professional orchestral musicians

• University faculty

• Music educators

• Church musicians

• College students

• Community musicians

• Young performers

The performance also incorporates footage from the National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri, showcasing one of the nation's premier historic landmarks.

"As we approach America's 250th anniversary, I wanted to create something that celebrates the enduring spirit of our country and the people who call it home," said Sheckler. "The words, 'does that star-spangled banner yet wave,' have echoed through generations of Americans. This project is our way of answering that question together—not just with our voices and instruments, but with gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy and hope for the future. Music has an extraordinary ability to unite people, and I'm incredibly thankful to every musician who helped make this celebration possible."

The project serves as both a patriotic celebration and a testament to the power of music to bring people together across geographic, cultural, and generational boundaries. Participants range from students and community musicians to university professors, professional performers, church musicians, and educators, all contributing to a single performance that reflects the diversity and unity of the American spirit.

About The Sheckler Virtual Choir & Orchestra

The Sheckler Virtual Choir & Orchestra is an online collaborative music initiative founded by Dr. Harrison Sheckler that brings together musicians from around the world for large-scale virtual performances celebrating artistic excellence, community, and meaningful shared experiences.

About Dr. Harrison Sheckler

Dr. Harrison Sheckler is an American pianist, composer, educator, conductor, and podcast host based in the Kansas City area. He serves as Director of Music at Prince of Peace Catholic Church and Staff Collaborative Pianist at St. James Academy. Through The Sheckler Virtual Choir & Orchestra, he creates large-scale collaborative music projects that bring together musicians from across the United States and around the world.

Media Contact

Dr. Harrison Sheckler
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