| A Capitol Fourth | |
|---|---|
.png) 35th anniversary | |
| Genre | Music/performing arts |
| Opening theme | "The Star-Spangled Banner" (except 1986) 1812 Overture (1986 only) |
| Ending theme | 1812 Overture (except 1986) "The Star-Spangled Banner" (1986 only) |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes | 41 |
| Production | |
| Production locations | National Mall, Washington, D.C. (1980–2019; 2022–present); broadcast but not live (2020–2021) |
| Camera setup | Multi-camera setup |
| Running time | 90 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | PBS |
| Release | July 4, 1980 – present |
| Infobox instructions (only shown in preview) | |
A Capitol Fourth is an annual Independence Day concert special broadcast by PBS. It is presented from the west lawn of the United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., and is also simulcast by NPR and the American Forces Network.
The concert typically features performances by guest musicians, as well as the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), the United States Army Presidential Salute Guns Battery, the U.S. Army Band (Pershing's Own), the National Symphony Orchestra, Patrick Lundy and The Ministers of Music, U.S. Army Herald Trumpets and the Choral Arts Society of Washington.[1][2]
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."[3]
- ^ A Capitol Fourth - The Concert, PBS, accessed July 12, 2013
- ^ "Motown The Musical Cast Performs on PBS's A Capitol Fourth, Broadwayworld.com, July 8, 2013
- ^ Eblen, Tom. "Tom Eblen: Being at A Capitol Fourth made me proud to be an American", Lexington Herald-Leader, July 9, 2013