—Featuring a Tribute to our American Heroes on the Front Lines of the Pandemic Crisis—
The concert will be live streamed on PBS.org, Facebook and YouTube!
Enjoy a special presentation of the “National Memorial Day Concert” on PBS, hosted by Tony Award-winner Joe Mantegna and Emmy Award-winner Gary Sinise with new performances and tributes filmed around the country honoring all of our American heroes.
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the traditional live concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol will not be held to ensure the health and safety of all involved.
The special 90-minute presentation of the "National Memorial Day Concert," featuring new and relevant content for these times and iconic show segments, will air on Sunday, May 24, 2020 to celebrate our heroes who are doing so much for all of us in the current fight against COVID-19, and continue for the 31st year to honor and remember our troops, veterans, wounded warriors, all those who have given their lives for our nation, and their families.
“In this unprecedented time, when the nation needs it most, we will bring Americans together as one family to honor our heroes,” said Executive Producer Michael Colbert. “This has been the mission of the National Memorial Day Concert for 30 years, and we look forward to sharing stories and music of support, hope, resilience, and patriotism.”
America’s national night of remembrance will feature new appearances and performances by:
- Distinguished American statesman General Colin L. Powell USA (Ret.)
- Tony, Emmy, and Grammy winner and two-time Oscar nominee, Cynthia Erivo
- World-renowned four-time Grammy Award-winning soprano superstar Renée Fleming
- Country music star and Grammy-nominated member of the Grand Ole Opry Trace Adkins
- Grammy Award-winning gospel legend CeCe Winans
- Tony Award-winning Broadway star Kelli O’Hara
- Tony Award-nominated actress Mary McCormack
- Members of the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly
- A special message from General Mark A. Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
- Broadway and television star Christopher Jackson will open the show with a poignant performance of the national anthem
The broadcast will also feature performances from previous concerts by Academy Award-nominated actor Sam Elliott; Oscar nominee and Emmy and Tony-Award winner Laurence Fishburne; and actor/producer/director Esai Morales.
Woven throughout the program will be messages from prominent guest artists of thanks and support for active-duty military, National Guard and Reserve and their families, veterans, and Gold Star families along with first responders, doctors, nurses, grocery clerks, truck drivers, postal workers...all those who are on the front lines, putting their lives at risk now in the fight against this virus.
Hosts Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise will also share several powerful segments that highlight stories of generations of ordinary Americans who stepped forward and served our country with extraordinary valor in its most challenging times.
Also participating in new and some past selected performances are members from The U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, The U.S. Army Chorus The U.S. Army Voices and Downrange, The Soldiers Chorus of the U.S. Army Field Band, The U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters, The U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants, and Service Color Teams provided by the Military District of Washington, D.C.
HOW TO WATCH:
The concert will be streaming live on Facebook, YouTube, the program website and will be available to stream on demand May 24 to June 7, 2020..
With the PBS Video App, you can stream your favorite and local station shows. Download it for free on your favorite device. The app allows you to catch up on recent episodes and discover award-winning shows.
SHARE YOUR MEMORIES ON OUR WALL OF REMEMBRANCE:
Your contributions are a central part of the Memorial Day narrative, honoring the sacrifice of our brave service members in uniform. We encourage you to share your stories on our Wall of Remembrance, where we can grieve together as we pay tribute to the lives and legacies of those we’ve lost. Submit a remembrance of your own or to read moving remembrances submitted by others.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION:
National Memorial Day Concert is on Instagram and you can follow @MemorialDayPBS on Twitter. #MemDayPBS
CREDITS:
A co-production of Michael Colbert of Capital Concerts and WETA, Washington, D.C. Executive producer Michael Colbert has assembled an award-winning production team that features the top Hollywood talent behind some of television’s most prestigious entertainment awards shows including the Academy Awards, Grammy Awards, Country Music Awards, Tony Awards and more.
