Since 1979, the National Symphony Orchestra has played a concert, called "A Capitol Fourth," on the west front of the Capitol, facing the National Mall. Fireworks are also launched from near the Washington Monument. This article describes the 1993 concert which included musicians such as Mary Chapin Carpenter, Rita Moreno, and Johnny Cash. The concert concluded, per tradition, with the Symphony playing marches with the Marine Corps Band. 

The NSO's Festive Mix of Broadway and Country

By Mark Adamo
Special to The Washington Post

There they were, 400,000 strong: sweating, drinking, waving--or wearing--the american flag. The crowd on the Capitol's West Lawn was a living demonstration of the right to peaceable assembly at last night's star-studded Capitol Fourth Concert with guest conductor Erich Kunzel and the National Symphony Orchestra....