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Mrs. Obama Goes Classical
November 04, 2009 4:43 PM
From Sunlen Miller:
Calling classical music a “timeless” art form, First Lady Michelle Obama kicked off the fourth part of the White House music series.
The White House invited 120 middle and high school musicians from across the country for a day of classical music workshops at the White House – which Mrs. Obama referred to as the “classical music superstars of tomorrow.”
The First Lady said that although the White House certainly holds a lot of history that their family likes to start new traditions and bring people together in new ways.
“Nothing mixes old and new quite like classical music,” Mrs. Obama said, “many of the beautiful concertos and sonatas they are playing today were written hundreds of years ago, long before CDs and computers, and MP3 players were ever invented.”
The audience listened to performances from Award-winning violinist Joshua Bell, Grammy Award-winning guitarist Sharon Isbin, renowned cellist Alisa Weilerstein, and acclaimed pianist Awadagin Pratt.
Mrs. Obama said this is an example how classical music can bring the old and new together.
“Even though it has been around for centuries musicians like all of you are always reinterpreting and replaying it in ways that we’ve never heard it before. And that makes it so exciting.”
Earlier in the day the First Lady spoke about the importance of after-school and out-of-school arts and humanities education programs and awarded the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities’ “Coming Up Taller” awards to 15 worthy programs that reach underserved children and youth.
Mrs. Obama said that especially during the days of “a lot of belt-tightening” that the work the programs do help make a difference in the lives of many young people by using arts “as a bridge” to personal achievement.
“You are not just connecting young people with music, dance, poetry and drama, But because of your work you are connecting these young people to mentoring, to tutoring, to social service, and college counseling. You don’t just show them the power of their imagination, but you show them the power of disciple, and hard work..”
In turn, the First Lady said, the young people don’t just become accomplished singers and painters and authors but also better students, better leaders and better.
“Even though so many young people in this country live just minutes from the centers of culture, and power and prestige, many feel that the resources are miles away. And very far beyond their reach. That is why we are working to make the White House a showcase for America’s cultural life and opening the doors of this house to as many of our young people as we can.”
Later this evening the President and the First lady will attend an evening classical music concert in the East Room.
-Sunlen Miller
November 4, 2009 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (4)
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It is a good practice to boost up the morale of the new talent of music trade. Many new faces look for the opportunities to exhibit their talent but they change the trade because they never get a chance. I appreciate this effort.
Posted by: RICA test | Nov 4, 2009 9:44:08 PM
WHO CARES!!!!!!!
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uhm . . . people who appreciate classical music? People who appreciate culture? People who appreciate mentoring young people?
Posted by: tierra | Nov 4, 2009 7:10:28 PM
WHO CARES!!!!!!!
Posted by: countrygirl_74 | Nov 4, 2009 6:18:24 PM
If it was "timeless" it wouldn't be changing.
To be honest, I moved to new age, long ago, and really don't care for classical at all, any more. Perhaps it is simply too "big".
I prefer more music by a limited number of musicians, at a time, playing real instruments, in a nice ensemble, or even solo.
Posted by: Rick McDaniel | Nov 4, 2009 5:14:57 PM
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