Washington National Cathedral

WASHINGTON, D.C.— On July 4, patriotic organ pyrotechnics start the Independence Day celebration when a free concert takes place at Washington National Cathedral.

Beginning at 11 am, ABC 7/WJLA Good Morning Washington co-anchor and concert emcee Doug McKelway kicks off the popular, annual all-American program which features Cathedral organists Scott Dettra and Christopher Jacobson.

The program opens with Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, and includes opportunities for the audience to sing the National Anthem and “My Country, ’Tis of Thee.”

This year’s concert marks the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln with a rare organ performance of Aaron Copland’s Lincoln Portrait. The Right Rev. John Bryson Chane, Episcopal bishop of Washington, will narrate excerpts from Lincoln’s speeches and letters including the Gettysburg Address. Also not to be missed is The Stars and Stripes Forever, played with four hands and feet!

Doug McKelway is an Emmy-Award winning anchor and reporter who was born and raised in Washington, D.C. Coming from a long-line of Washington journalists—his grandfather was the editor of The Evening Star throughout much of the twentieth century—Doug has worked in television news in North Carolina, Kansas, Missouri, and Florida before returning to Washington in 2001. He is a talented banjo player and can occasionally be found picking blue grass music at local taverns.

Scott Dettra is the Cathedral’s principal organist and is responsible for the organ playing at more the 350 services per year. He is also assistant conductor and keyboard artist of both the Cathedral Choral Society and the Washington Bach Consort and has appeared in recitals throughout the world. In addition to many recording credits, his performances have been broadcast numerous times on the BBC, NPR, and PRI.

Christopher Jacobson is the Cathedral’s assistant organist and accompanies and assists in directing the Cathedral choirs and is responsible for the training and education of the junior choristers. Besides winning first prize in several prestigious organ competitions, his recital performances have been heard on three continents.

Reserved seating in the great choir is available for $40. General admission is free. Please reserve seats in either section at www.nationalcathedral.org or (202) 537-2228. Everyone is welcome.

SOURCE: Washington National Cathedral