As the 2024 Democratic National Convention kicked off in Chicago on Monday, a group of young people provided a powerful performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner." The Soul Children of Chicago sang the national anthem under the direction of Walt Whitman, dressed in matching red sweaters and belting out harmonies that received applause throughout the United Center.The choir previously performed at one of former President Barack Obama's inauguration ceremonies, Whitman said. A producer from that inauguration ceremony was lining up performances for the DNC and reached out to ask the choir to kick off the event with the national anthem. Whitman said that the Grammy-nominated youth gospel choir comprises singers aged 7 to 17 who travel across the world and aim to serve as positive role models amongst their peers in Chicago.Choir member Aniyah Roberts said her mother also sang in the choir and encouraged her to join. Seeing one of their performances inspired her to take that step."It was amazing and I wanted to be part of that — I wanted to be part of a group that was doing something amazing," she said.Watch the video above to see the choir's national anthem performance at the DNC.