SPRINGFIELD (Springfield Leader, By Blaine Dillport, Staff Writer) -
Do you know the state song of New Jersey? Well, you shouldn't. New Jersey is one of a few states that does not have an official song, but if Mark Winter and Ellen Winter have their way, their composition will become the official state song.

The Winters, who wrote and performed "Be Proud To Be In New Jersey," were chosen as the finalists in the state song competition. The New Jersey State Council on the Arts announced the finalists at a press conference on May 29, 1996. "For almost 30 years, the NJSCA has strived to foster the inclusion of the arts into all aspects of life in our state by encouraging and supporting the finest artists and arts organizations." said NJSCA Chairman Lillian Levy. "By holding the state song contest, the council had the opportunity to broaden our constituency and hear from people from every corner of the state."

"It would be a great honor if our song was to be chosen as the state song: we tried hard to come up with a song that we felt would appeal to a large audience while still being somewhat modern," the couple said. The Winters are no strangers to songwriting and performing. In 1988 they, with their group, Ilusion, had a hit with "I Want Your Love In Me."

The dance song, released on Epic Records (Sony), was a big dance hit for the group. The Winters also have won the WPLJ jingle contest for the past two years.

·It is a spirited song with the same type of bouncy melody and catchy lyrics as songs like Irving Berlin's "God Bless America.

·It can easily be performed in a variety of styles, including a slow ballad, march, and popular.

·It is the only one of the three songs nominated that is written by professional songwriters who were both born and raised in New Jersey.

·It will have the widest appeal of the three nominated songs, bridging the generations and keeping the sound of New Jersey moving into the future, not into the past.

·It is rousing, inspiring and powerful, enabling it to be performed in parades, sports events, and at school functions.

·The lyrics of "Be Proud To Be In New Jersey" celebrate the beauty and spirit of New Jersey's present and past, and give inspiration for its future.

(photo above) Here we are at the State House in Trenton, N. J., receiving a special Proclamation signed by
Governor Christine Todd Whitman and Lonna Hooks, the Secretary of State of New Jersey.

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