• Ticket Price
    Free
  • Duration
    1hr 30min
Yankee Doodle Pops

Yankee Doodle Pops

Each year, the Des Moines Symphony welcomes more than 100,000 Central Iowans to celebrate Independence Day at Yankee Doodle Pops, the largest single-day concert event in Iowa. This July, Music Director & Conductor Joseph Giunta and the musicians of the Des Moines Symphony are pleased to bring The Des Moines Symphony’s 30th Annual Yankee Doodle Pops to everyone in the state through a broadcast in partnership with Iowa PBS and Iowa Public Radio. As always, the Des Moines Symphony will perform time-honored patriotic favorites, including the 1812 Overture and Stars & Stripes Forever. 

The Symphony will be joined by legendary vocalist Hugh Panaro, who played the Phantom in over 2,000 performances of The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway.

The winner of the Des Moines Symphony’s annual "Oh Say, Can You Sing?" competition will open Yankee Doodle Pops with The Star-Spangled Banner. 

Event Sponsors

Supporting Sponsors

Media Partner

Viewing Party Presenting Sponsors

Viewing Party Supporting Sponsors

Viewing Party Table Sponsors

  • Bankers Trust
  • Homesteaders Life Company
  • Hubbell Realty Company
  • Principal

Program

  • KEY/Arr. Damrosch The Star Spangled Banner
  • Traditional/Arr. Holcombe Armed Forces Salute
  • TCHAIKOVSKY 1812 Overture
  • SOUSA Stars and Stripes Forever

Performers

  • Joseph Giunta Conductor Bio
  • Hugh Panaro Vocalist Bio
Joseph Giunta

Joseph Giunta Conductor

One of America’s most distinguished, versatile and dynamic conductors, Joseph Giunta is a musician of international acclaim. He is recognized as an important American conductor for his innovative programming and for his compelling interpretations of traditional and new music. His musical depth combined with his boundless energy and contagious enthusiasm makes him one of the most respected and successful orchestra leaders in the United States.

Learn More About Maestro Giunta

Hugh Panaro

Hugh Panaro Vocalist

Hugh Panaro is perhaps best known for having played the coveted role of the Phantom in Broadway's The Phantom of the Opera over 2,000 times, including the 25th Anniversary production. In fact, Hugh is one of the few actors to be cast by Harold Prince as both The Phantom and Raoul in the show's Broadway production.

Hugh made his Broadway debut in the original production of Les Misérables as Marius, the role he originated in the First National Company. He also created the roles of Buddy in the original Side Show (Sony cast recording); Julian Craster in Jule Styne's last musical, The Red Shoes; and the title role in the American premiere of Cameron Mackintosh's Martin Guerre. Hugh was nominated for an Outer Critics Circle Award for his performance in the title role of Elton John's Lestat, based on Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles.

He made his West End debut in the original London company of Harold Prince's Show Boat as Gaylord Ravenal, the role he previously played in the Broadway and Toronto productions.