July 2, 2025

Tune in to KWAX July 4 for a festive schedule of music to mark America’s Independence Day. Starting at 8 am Pacific, the lineup includes music by Bernstein, Barber, and John Williams, two tributes to John Philips Sousa, and special programs from the Metropolitan Opera, Cincinnati Pops, and Boston Symphony Orchestra.

8 am - Rocky Lamanna hosts two celebratory hours

Works include 

• Handel: Music for the Royal Fireworks
• John Williams: Oscar-nominated score for The Patriot, featuring fife and drum segments, Appalachian melodies, and dramatic orchestral pieces
• Bernstein: Symphonic Dances from West Side Story

10 am - Grand Finals Concert of the Metropolitan Opera Eric and Dominique Laffont Competition

On Sunday, March 16, 2025, nine young artists sang on stage at the Met with Karen Kamensek conducting the Met orchestra. See the Met website for full program and bios of the young vocalists. 

Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto rounds out this three-hour portion of our day.

1 pm - First of two John Philip Sousa specials

2 pm - Cincinnati Pops July 4 Spectacular 

From the archive, the orchestra performs patriotic favorites plus tunes from Gershwin and Broadway conducted by Erich Kunzel. 

4 pm - John Philip Sousa Special 2

5-8 pm - KWAX regular programming

• 5 pm: “Picture Perfect” movie music with Ross Amico
• 6 pm: “Millennium of Music” with Robert Aubrey Davis
• 7 pm: “Exploring Music” with Bill McGlaughlin

8 pm - Best of the Boston Symphony Orchestra

A collection of All American favorites from the BSO's longtime radio series includes holiday fare from Leroy Anderson, Aaron Copland, George Gershwin, and Irving Berlin. conducted by Arthur Fiedler, Keith Lockhart, and John Williams.