Celebrating Independence... On July 3rd

Since 1996, my parents and I have watched a 4th of July concert on the Esplanade in Boston the night before Independence Day. Back in 1996, it was a little known secret that the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra would rehearse on July 3rd, a final prep before the famous concert held during the evening of July 4th.

After 16 years, we have the rehearsal concert down to a science. We make the commitment to show up first in line so we can be right up front for the show. Since we're camped out for so long, interesting stuff happens. Last night, one of the performers, Norm Lewis, came to visit the spectators.

Norm Lewis on the Esplanade

Boston

July 3, 2011

Amazingly enough, I am posting this video before Lewis even has a chance to perform during the "actual" performance on July 4th. I guess you can call the above a rehearsal ahead of the rehearsal.