Celebration of Freedom

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Independence Hall
520 Chestnut Street

Join Mayor Michael A. Nutter as he welcomes 2010 Miss America Caressa Cameron, The Keystone State Boychoir, The Fifes and Drums of the Old Barracks, the Alexandria Harmonizers and other local dignitaries as they praise the nation's heritage, laws, history, society, and people at a ceremony honoring America’s 234th birthday. 
 

Miss America 2010 Caressa Cameron

Caressa Cameron was crowned Miss America 2010 on January 30, 2010, live on TLC. Since her crowning she has been traveling the country appearing on numerous national and local television programs, making corporate appearances, and talking about MAO’s national platform, the Children’s Miracle Network, and her personal platform of Real Talk: AIDS in America.

As Miss America 2010, Caressa has the special honor of serving as the National Goodwill Ambassador for the Children’s Miracle Network throughout her year of service. As the Goodwill Ambassador, Caressa will help to raise funds and awareness for the over 170 CMN hospitals across the country.

Caressa believes strongly in her message, “Real Talk: AIDS in America”. She acted as the Coordinator of Youth Services for the Fighting the AIDS Crisis with Education and Support (FACES) Project. In addition, she organized an effort to persuade public school officials to establish AIDS-targeted sex education in middle schools. She has spoken to over 10,000 students in more than 40 middle and high schools as Miss Virginia, and plans on speaking to hundreds more during her year as Miss America. For her efforts, she was the recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award and she was presented with a Congressional Honor for her community service endeavors in Virginia. Recently she was awarded the Whitman Walker Partner for Life award for her commitment to HIV/AIDS Awareness. Community service has always been a part of Caressa’s life and, in high school, she received the Fellowship of Christian Athletes award for integrity, service, teamwork, and excellence.

An accomplished vocalist, Caressa was honored to perform during the 2009 Presidential Inauguration festivities and she performed at the historic Apollo Theatre in New York City. She enjoys performing many genres of music, including, pop, classical, jazz, country, and gospel.

Upon completion of her year of service, Caressa will fulfill her degree requirements at Virginia Commonwealth University, pursue a Masters degree in mass communications, and she hopes to become a leading anchor in television news.

The Keystone Boychoir

Under the direction of Music Director Joseph P. Fitzmartin and Associate Music Director Steven M. Fisher, Keystone State Boychoir (KSB) consists of 160 boys between the ages of 8 and 18 who sing an enthralling repertoire from the classical to the contemporary. Founded in 2001, KSB has enjoyed unprecedented success for an ensemble so young and by any measure can be counted among the finest community-based boychoir programs in the United States today.

KSB has sung with the region’s most distinguished ensembles, including The Philadelphia Orchestra, the Philadelphia Singers, and the Opera Company of Philadelphia. For the latter, KSB serves - along with the Pennsylvania Girlchoir - as its official children’s choir.

KSB has sung in the region’s most prominent venues, including Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the Academy of Music, and the Mann Music Center for the Performing Arts. KSB has performed internationally at the Manaus Opera House in Brazil, the Hanoi Opera House in Vietnam, and the Petronas Philharmonik Hall in Malaysia, as well as in venues throughout Alaska, Canada, South Africa, Japan, Thailand, Cambodia, Australia, Monaco, France, Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, Chile and Antarctica.
For more information visit www.paboychoir.org

The Fifes and Drums of the Old Barracks

Founded in 2004, the Fifes and Drums of the Old Barracks have been referred to as “one of America’s most historic bands”. The corps is made up of boys aged 12-18 drawn from Central and Southern New Jersey as well as Eastern Pennsylvania. The Fifes and Drums of the Old Barracks present a repertoire of authentic 18th Century military music using fifes and rope tensioned drums as was the practice during the Revolutionary War.

The corps, directed by Stephen Hudak, Andrew Wierzbowski, John Patrick Lane, Drum Major James Newberry and Jon Rees, wear uniforms that are authentic reproductions of the reverse color uniforms that were worn by the fifers and drummers of the 2nd New Jersey Regiment. 

Alexandria Harmonizers

The showmen of the Alexandria Harmonizers boast an unmatched history of international entertainment fame. Repeatedly winning and medaling in barbershop’s international competitions, singing for the Supreme Court, the White House, and Congress, appearing at the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, Broadway, and on television, the Harmonizers continue to inspire generations with their incomparable stage presence, champion artistry, and powerful music. For some, four-part harmony is a hobby; for the Harmonizers, it is their calling.