Friends and families gathering for cookouts in backyards and parks. Burgers and hot dogs smoking on the grill. Games on the lawn. Firecrackers and sparklers. “The Star-Spangled Banner” being played. Community firework displays. These are just a few of the sights and sounds of a traditional Fourth of July celebration.
And for millions of Americans, tuning in to “A Capitol Fourth” on PBS has been a part of their Independence Day celebrations for the past 41 years.
The National Symphony Orchestra began performing Independence Day
concerts on the west lawn of the U. S. Capitol building in 1979. A year
later, PBS started televising the show. The first telecast was hosted by
E. G. Marshall, with Mstislav Rostropovich conducting the orchestra and
legendary musical star Pearl Bailey performing live. Four decades
later, “A Capitol Fourth” is the highest-rated show on PBS.
Even
people who don’t typically watch PBS find themselves switching to the
channel on the evening of July 4 to watch fireworks displays and 90
minutes of patriotic music performed by some of the biggest names in
showbusiness — all live from our nation’s capital. Because the broadcast
is repeated throughout the night, one can tune into the festivities
regardless of the hour.
A monumental amount of work goes on behind
the scenes of “A Capitol Fourth” to bring the sights and sounds of the
concert to the millions of viewers watching at home. More than twenty
television cameras will be stationed on the West Lawn of the U.S.
Capitol and around Washington, D.C. to capture the show and spectacular
fireworks display.
For lovers of American music, the show never fails to deliver.
Celebrating
his tenth anniversary as Music Director of “A Capitol Fourth,” Maestro
Jack Everly will proudly conduct the National Symphony Orchestra in this
year’s patriotic celebration on the National Mall.
The U.S. Army
Herald Trumpets — the official fanfare ensemble for the President of the
United States — will also be featured in this year’s lineup.
The
Singing Sergeants, the official chorus of the U.S. Air Force, will add
their voices to the festivities. One of the world’s most versatile and
traveled choral organizations, the chorus was formed in 1945 from within
the ranks of the U.S. Air Force and is composed entirely of
professional vocalists from leading colleges and universities throughout
the world, who are all sergeants in the U.S. Air Force. The U.S. Army
Chorus and The Soldiers’ Chorus will also lift their voices in song. And
as in previous years, a host of popular singers, actors and
entertainers will join the celebration.
“For four decades “A Capitol
Fourth” has paid tribute to our nation’s birthday and the hopes and
dreams of all Americans,” said Executive Producer Michael Colbert. “This
year, our broadcast will reflect what we as a country have
“A Capitol Fourth” will broadcast live on WHRO Channel 15 at 8:00 p.m. on
Sunday, July 4, with reruns beginning at 9:30 p.m.
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