White House Showcases Classical Musicians
Those who had hoped the First Lady would revive the White House's classical-music series, which was so popular when Jackie Kennedy graced the Presidential mansion, can take comfort: Michelle Obama hosted a high-profile classical-music concert Wednesday, Nov. 4, featuring violinist Joshua Bell and cellist Ailsa Weilerstein, among others.
Declaring himself a classical music novice, President Obama (known to include hip hop on his iPod playlist) attended the concert.
The event, held in the East Room, was broadcast live on the White House website and is archived on the website as well. In addition, SIRIUS XM Radio's Symphony Hall channel (SIRIUS channel 80 and XM channel 78) will rebroadcast the concert over the weekend.
Recent White House concerts have spotlighted country, Latin music, and jazz, including celebrated upright bassist Esperanza Spalding.
Among those in attendance at the classical concert, and in some cases engaging in workshops with Bell, were musicians from the Sphinx Preparatory Music Institute at Wayne State University, Sphinx Competition alumni, and Sphinx Performance Academy students, as well as music students from the Baltimore School for the Arts and Newark High School.
In the First Lady, string teachers struggling to win favor for financially-strapped public-school music programs find that they now have an influential advocate in the White House.
Not bad.
Declaring himself a classical music novice, President Obama (known to include hip hop on his iPod playlist) attended the concert.
The event, held in the East Room, was broadcast live on the White House website and is archived on the website as well. In addition, SIRIUS XM Radio's Symphony Hall channel (SIRIUS channel 80 and XM channel 78) will rebroadcast the concert over the weekend.
Recent White House concerts have spotlighted country, Latin music, and jazz, including celebrated upright bassist Esperanza Spalding.
Among those in attendance at the classical concert, and in some cases engaging in workshops with Bell, were musicians from the Sphinx Preparatory Music Institute at Wayne State University, Sphinx Competition alumni, and Sphinx Performance Academy students, as well as music students from the Baltimore School for the Arts and Newark High School.
In the First Lady, string teachers struggling to win favor for financially-strapped public-school music programs find that they now have an influential advocate in the White House.
Not bad.
Comment
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Comment by eddymontreal on November 8, 2009 at 7:59pm - Composers expressed in many occasions political ideas through their music. It's also true that politics shapes music and public-school music programs survival counts sometimes on who's in The House. It's nice to hear that there is a sensibility to music in the Obama family and hopefully this will benefit the next generation of American musicians.
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Comment by elle wood on November 7, 2009 at 3:02pm -
MR.Micchelle thank you for this information.
http://www.allthingsstringscommunity.com/ - Page Rank 5
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Comment by Christiane on November 6, 2009 at 5:31am - Thank you Michelle!
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