Mayor will select contest winner to sing national anthem at State of the City address

Merced’s mayor is looking for a singer or group of singers to perform the national anthem at this year’s State of the City address.

The annual address is open to the public and is a way to bring the community together to hear what has taken place in Merced over the past year, as well as what the future holds for the city, according to a news release.

In the past, the event has included music or dance performances by various members members of the community. This year however, the singer of the national anthem will be decided by a contest that is open to the public, the city said.

“We wanted to get residents involved with the State of the City, and give them a chance to directly participate in the event,” said Mayor Mike Murphy in a news release. “ ‘The Star Spangled Banner’ will let someone, or a group, showcase their talents for all of Merced.”

According to the City, individual singers or singing groups that wish to audition for the anthem, must submit a 30 second audio clip of them singing the “Star Spangled Banner.” The audio clips can be submitted via email to events@cityofmerced.org, or by submitting the clip on a flash drive at the City Clerk’s Office, located on the first floor of the Merced Civic Center, 678 W. 18th Street between 8 a.m. and noon, or 1 p.m. to 5 p.m..

Anyone can audition and Mayor Mike Murphy will select the winner, or winners of the contest.

“I’m excited because I know Merced has such a depth of talent to draw from, and I’m looking forward to listening to the auditions,” Murphy said in a news release. “The ‘Star Spangled Banner’ starts off many events in our country, and the State of the City is no different,” he said. “We want to start off the State of the City this year showcasing the gifts and talents that have been given to our great City.”

The fourth State of the City address will take place at the Merced Theatre at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, with doors opening at 10:30 a.m.. Admission is free and this year’s event will include speaker Annissa Fragosa, vice president of the Merced County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.