Fourth of July Concert

Although a heavy downpour put a quick end to the Independence Day Parade, the sun poked out of the clouds to show a little bit of Fourth of July spirit just in time for the evening concert at the Capitol.

Thousands of spectators flocked towards the concert stage and onto the Capitol's steps through efficient security check points. Even with the rain-lessened turn out, many people were left hunting for seats. American Idol star Clay Aiken quickly opened the yearly event with a classic rendition of the "Star Spangled Banner."

After Aiken exhausted his fifteenth minute of fame, Barry Bostwick sang "Strike up the Band" before introducing himself as the host of the evening's events. Several American Idol jokes later more singers took the stage, mixing their own works, such as Robin Gibb's "Staying Alive," with more deserving and patriotic songs, including Yolanda Adams with her tear-jerking rendition of "My Country 'Tis of Thee." Artists Vince Gill and Amy Grant also performed some standard country fare. "God Bless America" was the highlight of the vocalists' selections.

Halfway through the concert, the National Symphony Orchestra took center stage with a tribute to Hollywood. The musical montage, accompanied by clips of classic movies, included some of the most memorable songs in the silver screen's history, such as "Can you Feel the Love Tonight" from the Lion King.

The country's 228th birthday celebration also included a dedication by Cicely Tyson to the recently deceased Ray Charles, just before Clay Aiken commanded the screams of hundreds of teenage girls with "God Bless the USA." Aiken's vocals were only marginal, and it was the applause and cheering to the patriotic meaning of the songs, not the Idol, that made the concert a worthy experience.

Shortly after Aiken's last performance, fireworks lit up the sky during Adam's "Georgia on my Mind." The orchestra then broke into a stirring rendition of the "Overture of 1812," complete with cannon salutes. During the fireworks, the audience was given another chance to hear the brilliance of the National Symphony Orchestra under the baton of conductor Erich Kunzel. Among the orchestra's upbeat selections were "Three Cheers for the Red White and Blue" and other parade marches perfectly suited for the event's finale.

The lavish fireworks compensated for some of the concert's shortfalls with the weather also contributing to the spectacular bursts of color. Many of the dark clouds covering the sky reflected the flashing lights from the National Mall outwards for what seemed like miles. Surprisingly, there seemed to be more greens than reds, whites and blues but regardless of color, the unique patterns and shapes of the explosions could have dazzled even the most cynical spectator.

As definitive finales go, the fireworks fell somewhat short. When the last of the explosions lit up the sky much of the audience expected the event to continue, with the crowd lingering for several minutes before realizing that the concert had been drawn to a close; many stayed until the orchestra filed off stage.

Still, nothing compares to the patriotism displayed on Independence Day. Regardless of talent or lack thereof, each singer brought an uplifting quality to the stage with classic American songs as the country put down its political affiliations and conflicts and celebrated independence as a nation.