Boston Pops Announces Two Special Programs Honoring Veterans

Ahead of the Veterans Day holiday and in keeping with its longstanding patriotic commitment to celebrating those who serve our country, the Boston Pops is proud to announce two special programs honoring veterans and the military community. These two programs build on the Pops’ reputation as “America’s Orchestra,” earned, in part, for having presented The Boston Pops July 4 Fireworks Spectacular, one nation’s most beloved and largest public Independence Day celebrations for more than half a century and for the breadth of its repertoire and recordings. 

Starting this month, public television viewers across America can watch The Eyes of the World: From D-Day to VE Day, an inspiring multimedia show that was filmed during two live performances at Symphony Hall last May marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day. In Greater Boston, the filmed concert production will be broadcast on GBH-2 on Thursday, November 7 at 9 p.m. It is available to stream on pbs.org and through the PBS app and to view on public television stations nationwide and in Canada (click here to check your local listings). The special is distributed by American Public Television. 

And, to kick off the start of the holiday season, the Pops will offer a free preview of its very popular Holiday Pops program to members of the military community and their families on the evening of Wednesday, December 4. This is the second year of the Holiday Pops Military Preview event, all tickets to which are being distributed through local organizations that serve veterans, active military, and families of the fallen. These organizations have been selected through previous association with the Boston Pops and with the help of lead event sponsor Highland Street Foundation and other partners. Retired U.S. Army Brigadier General Jack Hammond, who serves as the Chief Executive for the Home Base National Center of Excellence for Mental Health and Brain Injuries, will be the special guest narrator of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas. 

Statement from Chad Smith, BSO President and CEO:

“Veterans Day is a time to express our deep gratitude to veterans, military service members, and their families for the daily sacrifices they make for us. We are proud to honor and celebrate the military community through these two Pops programs. Last spring, we commemorated the 80th anniversary of D-Day with two inspiring performances of The Eyes of the World and are excited to be able to share a filmed version of this powerful program with national viewers through our partnership with the show’s creator American History Unbound and distributor American Public Television. And recognizing that military service often means families are apart during the holiday season, we are excited to share the joy of our Holiday Pops program with members of the military community, and we thank Highland Street Foundation and other partners for making this free preview event possible for a second year.” 

Statement from Keith Lockhart, Boston Pops Conductor: 

“As conductor of the Boston Pops for nearly three decades, I’ve always been very honored to perform on the Esplanade stage each July 4 with military groups such as the US Army Field Band and the Singing Sergeants. Working with John Monsky and American History Unbound to present The Eyes of the World concerts at Symphony Hall last May was a high point of our spring season, and I’m proud that public TV viewers all over America will have the opportunity to see and hear this thrilling chapter of history come alive. And, at our December 4 Holiday Pops Military Preview event, we look forward to sharing the joy and festivity of the holidays with our service member guests and their families, giving just a little back to this remarkable group of people, who give all of us so much every day of the year.” 

Click here to download the complete release.