Stars and Stripes Forever

By ,

This will probably come as a great shock to all of you, but in my opinion the number one Independence Day celebration in the country is in Boston.  I have only attended one time, but that’s enough to cross it off my bucket list.  I’d love to take the kids sometime when they’re older.

After an entire day in the sun, everyone’s brains were a little fried, so by the time Keith Lockhart wrapped up the 1812 Overture (with real cannons over the Charles River — yea, and verily the same river that was there for the first battles of the Revolution!) and the first strains of Sousa’s “The Stars and Stripes Forever” echoed over the Esplanade, the entire crowd went ballistic.

Here’s a taste:

It’s probably the best day of the year for piccolo players.

(Here are the original lyrics)

And here’s a fun version from a supermarket on the Cape last year (don’t miss the trombones over the balcony at the end):
Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.
I Peter 2:16 ESV 

8 Responses to “Stars and Stripes Forever”

  1. Cypriana

    I know I may be a bit biased, but I completely agree with you!! It is even more amazing when you are on-stage performing with the Pops at this concert. I have done it twice, and both times were truly awesome!!!

    Like

  2. Jennie

    Awesome! Just added this to my bucket list! Loved the Flash-mob! What a hoot it must have been to be in that store!!

    Like

  5. Anonymous

    Wow! Thanks, Kelly. Celebrating the 4th of July in Boston is now on my bucket list, too! Martha

    Like

  6. Anonymous

    Thank you for sharing this, Kelly. The closest I've been to a flash mob was at last year's Newport Folk Festival. They had a marching orchestra that showed up at different places throughout the day!

    Like

  7. Kelly Keller

    definitely worth your while, martha! Last night they had to herd the whole crowd off the plaza for a bit due to threat of severe thunderstorms. If it's just raining, though, the show goes on. They just shield the instruments 🙂

    Like

Comments are closed.

%d bloggers like this: