The Beach Boys are set to headline the program, bringing their classic harmonies and enduring hits to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The concert will be co-hosted once again by actors Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise, both of whom have long supported veterans’ causes and have been involved with the broadcast for many years. Their continued participation helps underscore the concert’s mission to honor service and sacrifice while providing a dignified, heartfelt evening for viewers nationwide.

The event combines musical performances with readings and appearances by notable public figures. The 27th annual National Memorial Day Concert will be broadcast live on PBS on Sunday, May 29, 2016, from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m., and will reach audiences across the country, as well as U.S. troops serving overseas via the American Forces Network.

Alongside Trent Harmon, Katharine McPhee will contribute her vocal talents to the program. The lineup also highlights a diverse range of performers and presenters from across the entertainment industry and public life. Featured talents include distinguished leaders and acclaimed performers who join the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of pops conductor Jack Everly. The orchestra’s involvement continues the concert’s long-standing collaboration with top orchestral talent to deliver stirring musical arrangements that support each act and the overall tone of remembrance.

The program’s all-star roster reflects a mixture of contemporary and legacy performers. In addition to The Beach Boys and McPhee, the show includes appearances by artists and actors who lend their voices and presence to the evening: world-renowned soprano Renée Fleming, country star Trace Adkins, award-winning actors S. Epatha Merkerson and Esai Morales, and Tony Award-winning singer Alfie Boe. The lineup also features a prominent national leader whose participation underscores the ceremony’s significance for both military families and the broader public.

Trent Harmon, who won American Idol as the final champion of the series, will have the honor of opening the concert with a special rendition of the National Anthem. His appearance continues the concert’s history of featuring reality competition alumni and well-known vocalists from television and stage, reflecting the program’s commitment to showcasing a range of artists who can convey respect and gratitude through music.

The National Memorial Day Concert is produced as a live broadcast event with a concert audience on the West Lawn and millions more watching at home. It provides a national moment to reflect on the service of military members and to celebrate the bonds between the armed forces, their families, and the American public. With an evening of carefully curated performances, spoken tributes, and orchestral accompaniment, PBS aims to create a poignant and unifying broadcast that honors the spirit of Memorial Day.

This year’s concert reaffirms the PBS tradition of combining star-studded performances with solemn remembrance, bringing together musicians, actors, and leaders for an evening that pays tribute to those who have served. The lineup, hosts, and orchestral support promise a memorable broadcast that highlights both musical excellence and national gratitude.