The valiant defense of Fort McHenry on the night of September 13, 1814, during the Battle of Baltimore inspired Francis Scott Key to write “The Star-Spangled Banner.” His message 200 years ago and the poem he set to music quickly spread and became the rallying cry for the new nation. Today, “The Star Spangled Banner” plays a central part in our everyday lives, but it wasn’t until 1931 that Congress declared it our national anthem. On the occasion of the anthem’s 200th birthday, GREAT PERFORMANCES and Maryland Public Television present an entertainment event on the beautiful Baltimore Harbor front to commemorate the anthem’s creation and the courageous battle that inspired it.
Musical Program
“This Land is Your Land” (Train & Melissa Etheridge); “Till There Was You” (Kristin Chenoweth); “Make Our Garden Grow” (Kristin Chenoweth & Paulo Szot); “Boondocks” (Little Big Town); “Stay All Night” (Little Big Town); “Summertime” (Denyce Graves-Montgomery); “Come to My Window” (Melissa Etheridge); “Take My Number” (Melissa Etheridge); “‘Merica” (Kenny Rogers); “Drive By” (Train); “Angel in Blue Jeans” (Train); “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” (A Cappella) (Pentatonix); “La La Latch” (Pentatonix); “The Tracks of My Tears” (Smokey Robinson); “Being with You” (Smokey Robinson); “Overture to ‘Candide’” (Marin Alsop/BSO); “The Star-Spangled Banner” (Jordin Sparks/US Marine Band/Morgan State Choir); “Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture” (Marin Alsop/BSO); “God Bless America” (Little Big Town/Kenny Rogers); “America the Beautiful” (Denyce Graves-Montgomery); “Patriotic Medley” (Marin Alsop/BSO/Navy Sea Chanters). Program of live broadcast subject to change
Acclaimed actor, musician and author John Lithgow will host "Star-Spangled Spectacular: Bicentennial Of Our National Anthem." The television event, to be co-hosted by multi-platinum recording artist and actress Jordin Sparks, is a highlight of Star-Spangled Spectacular, a week-long celebration of the 200th anniversary of our national anthem.
Also featured are performances by Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress and accomplished singer Kristin Chenoweth; Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge; celebrated mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves-Montgomery; Grammy Award-winning country group Little Big Town; vocal sensations Pentatonix; legendary singer-songwriter Smokey Robinson; Grammy Award-winning Country Music Hall of Fame member Kenny Rogers; Tony Award-winning baritone Paulo Szot; multi-platinum Grammy Award-winning band Train; the U.S. Navy’s official chorus The Navy Band Sea Chanters; the Grammy Award-winning Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Music Director Marin Alsop; and more to be announced soon.
The patriotic special will feature a diverse star-studded line up of entertainers paying tribute to our nation’s ideals in a thrilling and inspiring concert at the Pier Six Pavilion. The Baltimore harbor, replete with tall ships and naval vessels will serve as a stunning backdrop. The program will also include ceremonial activities at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, historical highlights and an extraordinary fireworks crescendo.
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