Performances from previous programs include Tony winner Brian Stokes Mitchell singing "America the Beautiful" and Ragtime's "Wheels of a Dream"; Tony winner Leslie Odom Jr. singing "Sarah" from The Civil War and "Without You" from Rent; EGOT winner Rita Moreno narrating excerpts from Ellis Island: The Dream of America; America's Got Talent semifinalist Amanda Mena singing Pink’s "What About US" and the National Anthem with the U.S. Navy Sea Chanters; singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge performing "I Wanna Come Over"; Amanda Gorman offering "Believer’s Hymn for the Republic"; Grammy winner Rhiannon Giddens performing "Pretty Little Girl" and "She’s Got You"; folk singer-songwriter Arlo Guthrie and The Texas Tenors joining forces on "This Land Is Your Land"; Queen Latifah singing "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy"; singer-songwriter Andy Grammer performing "Give Love"; and The U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers’ Chorus joining the Pops for "The Stars and Stripes Forever."
Newly created content for the celebration includes a virtual performance of "Over the Rainbow"; BSO Trumpet Section in a virtual performance of Leroy Anderson’s Bugler’s Holiday; Renese King and Lockhart in a virtual performance of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" and "God Bless America"; a video message from General James C. McConville, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army; and Summon the Heroes with an introduction by composer and Pops Conductor Laureate John Williams. Summon the Heroes is a tribute to the healthcare workers, first responders, and other essential service providers who are the heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic, and honors the memories of those who have lost their lives during this crisis.
Repeat broadcasts of A Boston Pops Salute to Our Heroes on Bloomberg are scheduled for July 4 at 11 PM and July 5 at 2 AM. The show will be simulcast locally on Boston’s WHDH-TV July 4 at 8 PM.
(Updated July 4, 2020)