July 4th specials

10-11am 
O Beautiful! American Music
The Western Wind, America's longest running professional vocal ensemble has created a repertory of vibrant new works for voices. O Beautiful! American Music presents music by Meredith Monk, William Bolcom, Tania Leon, Matthew Harris, Eric Salzman, Robert Dennis, Billy Joel, Elliot Z. Levine and Gayla Morgan. Interviews with the composers and arrangers are woven into the show. The title is taken from Gayla Morgan's brilliant pastiche of "America the Beautiful" and "Rte.66" with an allusion to "I Like to be in America" from West Side Story. It captures the exuberance and inclusiveness of our time.

11am-12pm 
Eddie’s Attic: July 4th Special
This show features live recordings of July 4th-themed songs from songwriters Kevin Kinney, Alice Peacock, Dave Alvin, Gretchen Peters, Brian Vander Ark, Sugarland, Darrell Scott, Antje Duvekot, Kevin Montgomery, Matthew Ryan, Shawn Mullins, and Meg Hutchinson

12-1pm  
Stephen Foster, America’s Bard
It’s hard to imagine American music without the work of Stephen Collins Foster. Foster was born on July 4, 1826 – fifty years to the day after the Declaration of Independence was signed. In 19th century America, popular songs were churned out by the dozens, but no other composer of the day wrote as many great songs with as much sticking power as Foster. We all grew up singing Oh, Susannah, Beautiful Dreamer, Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair, Old Folks at Home … the list goes on and on.

3-4pm  
The Capitol Steps 4th of July Special
This almost-award-winning troupe of former Congressional pages and staff members puts their quasi-patriotic spin on current events in this now hour-long special for Independence Day.