Bank of America Celebration at the Station returns this year, bringing together music enthusiasts, families and veterans to commemorate Memorial Day. The event will take place on the south plaza of Union Station and the north lawn of the National WWI Museum and Memorial on Sunday, May 26. Kansas City PBS will broadcast the celebration live on Channel 19.1 starting at 8 p.m. Watch the rebroadcast on Memorial Day, May 27, at 8:30 p.m.
Audiences will enjoy timeless performances from the Kansas City Symphony, led by longtime music director and conductor Michael Stern, with a special appearance from Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas. The two-hour event will feature fan favorites like “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America.” The orchestra will also perform renditions of Aaron Copland’s “Lincoln Portrait,” Quinn Mason’s “Joyous Trilogy” and Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s roaring concert piece, “1812 Overture.” This incredible evening culminates in a choreographed fireworks show presented to the beat of patriotic music.
The annual observation invites people to acknowledge the true meaning of Memorial Day, honoring those who died in active service in the military. Families can bring food, spread blankets on the grass and gather friends for picnics. The event is free to the public and often draws upward of 50,000 people.
This year marks the event’s 20th anniversary and Stern’s last year at the helm of the Kansas City Symphony, ending his 19-year tenure there. As the orchestra’s music director, Stern said he wears two hats — one as conductor, making music and bringing performances to the community, and the other as music director, making the case for the organization as a symbol of artistic excellence.
“The beautiful thing about Celebration at the Station is that it brings those two things together in real focus,” Stern said. “It’s obviously a wonderful performance by our great symphony orchestra but also a celebration of the holiday, giving us the opportunity to come together with our neighbors, friends and family.”
Learn more about Celebration at the Station and how to watch it live on Kansas City PBS at kansascitypbs.org/celebration.
