A Capitol Fourth

**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 Independence Day each July 4. Broadcast live on PBS, NPR and the American Forces Network and presented by WETA, 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 elements of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), the U.S. Army Band (Pershing's Own), 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.

One journalist described the event as "a mix of patriotism and pop culture ... as the National Symphony Orchestra launched into Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture with accompaniment from an Army artillery squad, a spectacular fireworks display erupted over the Washington Monument. There was something special about being in the nation's capital on Independence Day, surrounded by a few hundred thousand of our fellow citizens.

**History**

The National Symphony Orchestra began performing Independence Day concerts on the west lawn in 1979. Two years later, first concert telecast was hosted by E. G. Marshall, with conductor Mstislav Rostropovich and performer Pearl Bailey. It is now the highest-rated show on PBS. The Choral Arts Society also performed annually by singing the concluding verse of the 1812 Overture.

**Performers**

Barry Bostwick hosted during several consecutive years prior to 2006, when Jason Alexander hosted. The following year, Tony Danza served as host, and Jimmy Smits hosted for the following four years. Tom Bergeron hosted from 2012-14 and hosted again in 2016. Bradley Whitford served as host in 2015. Erich Kunzel was music director until his death in 2009. Jack Everly took over as music director. Performers over the years have included Roberta Flack and Marvin Hamlisch (1987); Lee Ann Womack and Ray Charles (2000); John Williams, Dolly Parton and Kristin Chenoweth (2003); Robin Gibb and Clay Aiken (2004); Stevie Wonder (2006); Hayden Panettiere, Little Richard and Bebe Neuwirth (2007); Huey Lewis and the News, Taylor Hicks, Jerry Lee Lewis (2008); Aretha Franklin; Barry Manilow; Andrew von Oeyen; and the cast of *Jersey Boys* (2009); Gladys Knight, Lang Lang and Reba McEntire (2010); Jordin Sparks; Kelli O'Hara; Matthew Morrison; Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers Josh Groban, Little Richard and the cast of *Million Dollar Quartet* (2011); Megan Hilty, Phillip Phillips, Matthew Broderick, Kelli O’Hara, Javier Colón, Kool & the Gang, Apolo Ohno, John Williams (2012); and Williams, Hilty, Manilow, Neil Diamond, Jackie Evancho, Candice Glover, Scotty McCreery and the cast of *Motown: The Musical*(2013).

**Traditions**

The concert begins with the U.S. national anthem by the National Symphony Orchestra who are accompanied by a anthem singer. Its 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 Guns Battery and the concluding verse sung by the Choral Arts Society who performed annually) 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.

**The National Artistic Achievement Award**

The National Artistic Achievement Award has been presented on five occasions during the program for the performer's "dedication to enriching the national legacy of the performing arts":

* 2003: John Williams
* 2005: Gloria Estefan & Emilio Estefan
* 2006: Stevie Wonder
* 2010: Reba McEntire
* 2011: Josh Groban