A Capitol Fourth
 |
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (July 2011) |
A Capitol Fourth is a free annual concert performed on the west lawn of the United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., in celebration of the Independence Day. Broadcast live on PBS and NPR, the concert is viewed and heard by millions across The United States and the world, as well as attended by more than half a million people at the Capitol. The concert traditionally features the National Symphony Orchestra and the Choral Arts Society of Washington, who provide much of the music during the show for various celebrity artists. A celebrity host and a variety of guests entertain and pay tribute to their country throughout the evening.[1]
Contents |
[edit] Performers
Barry Bostwick during several consecutive years prior to 2006.
[edit] 2004
Performances by Robin Gibb, Clay Aiken, Vince Gill and Amy Grant.
[edit] 2006
Actor/comedian Jason Alexander hosted.
[edit] 2007
The 2007 broadcast of A Capitol Fourth was hosted by Tony Danza and featured performances by Hayden Panettiere, Elliott Yamin, Yolanda Adams, Little Richard, Dierks Bentley and Bebe Neuwirth. The musical West Side Story was also honored in a musical tribute.
[edit] 2008
On Friday, July 4, 2008, the 28th annual broadcast of A Capitol Fourth aired live on PBS and NPR. The 2008 show was hosted by Broadway, film, and television actor Jimmy Smits with performances by Huey Lewis and the News, 2006 American Idol winner Taylor Hicks, Jerry Lee Lewis, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Harolyn Blackwell, and Hayley Westenra.
[edit] 2009
On Saturday, July 4, 2009, Smits again hosted the program, along with music director Erich Kunzel. Performers and segments included Aretha Franklin; Barry Manilow; a taped greeting from President Barack Obama; Big Bird and the 40th anniversary of Sesame Street; Natasha Bedingfield; the cast of Jersey Boys; Andrew von Oeyen and Michael Feinstein duetting on two grand pianos during an abbreviated performance of Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue".
[edit] 2010
Jack Everly served as music director following the death of Erich Kunzel. Jimmy Smits again hosted, and pointed out that A Capitol Fourth was celebrating its 30th anniversary. Performers included David Archuleta, Gladys Knight, Darius Rucker, Lang Lang, John Schneider and Reba McEntire. Schneider paid tribute to Kunzel, finishing his performance by embracing Kunzel's Austrian wife of 44 years, Brunhilde, who was in attendance.
[edit] 2011
Jimmy Smits again served as host, and Jack Everly again directed the National Symphony Orchestra. Guest performers included Jordin Sparks; Kelli O'Hara; Matthew Morrison; Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers; Josh Groban; and Little Richard and the cast of Million Dollar Quartet.
[edit] Traditions
The concert finale begins with a rendition of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture by the National Symphony Orchestra (complete with cannon fire from the United States Army Presidential Salute Battery and the concluding verse sung by the Choral Arts Society) and the National Park Service's fireworks show above the Washington Monument. Following the 1812 Overture, a series of John Philip Sousa's best-known marches are played.
[edit] The National Artistic Achievement Award
The National Artistic Achievement Award is presented during the program.
- 2003: John Williams
- 2004: No award given
- 2005: Gloria Estefan & Emilio Estefan
- 2006: Stevie Wonder
- 2007: No award given
- 2008: No award given
- 2009: No award given
- 2010: Reba McEntire
- 2011: Josh Groban
