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Ticket PriceFree
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Duration1hr 30min
- Monday, July 3, 2023 8:30PM — West Terrace, Iowa State Capitol
Yankee Doodle Pops
Join us for the Des Moines Symphony’s 29th annual Yankee Doodle Pops!
Join us for the Des Moines Symphony’s 29th annual Yankee Doodle Pops, Iowa’s largest single-day concert event! This family-friendly, patriotic concert concludes with the area’s premier fireworks display over the downtown Des Moines skyline, and best of all, it’s free. Bring your picnic baskets, blankets and lawn chairs, or purchase food from an array of vendors at the concert.
The music begins at 6:30 pm with a concert prelude featuring the Turner Center Jazz Orchestra. At 8:30 pm, 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. As always, the Des Moines Symphony will perform time-honored patriotic classics, including the 1812 Overture and Stars & Stripes Forever.
Yankee Doodle Pops will be broadcast live across Iowa in partnership with Iowa PBS.
Event Sponsors
Supporting Sponsors
Media Partner
Viewing Party Presenting Sponsors
Viewing Party Supporting Sponsors
Viewing Party Table Sponsors
- Bankers Trust
- Dotdash Meredith
- Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company of Iowa
- Iowa State Bank
- MidAmerican Energy Company
- Stowe Foundation
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.
Matthew Johnson Vocalist
The multi-talented Matthew Johnson is an actor, singer, dancer, and musician who has performed with the likes of Pharrell, John Legend, Jennifer Lopez, Childish Gambino, and Stevie Wonder. His musical theater roots were cultivated at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, and through his mentor, Debbie Allen, who helped mold him into the triple threat performer he is today. Matthew has done vocal arrangements for the Grammy Awards as well as performed at the Emmys and the Billboard Awards. He honed his skills as a vocal chameleon on some of the world's most watched television shows such as American Idol, The Voice, X Factor and Late Night with James Corden. He’s shared the stage and studio with some of Hollywood’s biggest names including Kelly Clarkson, Sam Smith, Demi Lavato, and Jennifer Hudson. On the big screen, Matthew stars as Mack in Warner Brother’s “Christmas on the Square” starring Dolly Parton and Christine Baranski which received an Emmy nomination.
Billy "B.WELL" Weathers Guest Artist
Local hip-hop artist, humanitarian, and creator Billy “B.WELL” Weathers graduated from Simpson College in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing and Communications and a minor in Sports Administration. Upon graduation, Weathers began to surround himself with leaders, artists, creatives, and educators with unique and growing perspectives. These relationships added to his creativity and served as sounding resources as he began to embrace new ideas and create resources for his community. Before long, the name B.WELL grew with numerous sold out shows and his work in local schools.
Weathers was named the Des Moines Education Association Volunteer of the Year in April 2020, American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa’s Iowan of the year in July of 2020, Des Moines Register’s “People to Watch in 2021” in January 2021, Simpson College’s Recent Alumni Humanitarian Award in November 2021, and Business Record’s 40 Under 40 Award in April 2022 for his work in founding a local non-profit organization, the B.WELL Foundation.
The B.WELL Foundation strives to build stronger futures for youth and lift them to a place of prosperity and has invested over $100,000 into local schools since its inception in June 2020. As he continues to work with youth and facilitate events to give back, B.WELL hopes to ignite new ideas and light to the next generation along the way.
