A Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement at the White House (Video)

The President and the First Lady host a night of music that inspired and reflected the Civil Rights Movement. Performers include Yolanda Adams, Joan Baez, Natalie Cole, Bob Dylan, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, John Mellencamp, Smokey Robinson, Seal, the Blind Boys of Alabama, the Howard University Choir, and The Freedom Singers.

The full concert is on television, tonight, check your local listing here or watch online at 8:00 EST

Clips below:



Yolanda Adams:



Smokey Robinson and Jennifer Hudson:



Joan Baez:



Music that Inspired the Movement Workshop:

High school students from across the country participate in a workshop to learn about how music influenced the Civil Rights Movement. A number of entertainers participate, including John Legend, Smokey Robinson, John Mellencamp, Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon and Toshi Reagon.



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Classical Music Night at the White House (video)

US President Barack Obama walks with First Lady Michelle Obama to host an event celebrating classical music in the East Room of the White House on November 4, 2009 in Washington, DC




Classical Music Takes Center Stage at the White House
REMARKS BY THE FIRST LADY AT CLASSICAL MUSIC SERIES WORKSHOPS


Classical guitarist Sharon Isbin performs Isaac Albeniz’s Asturias and Agustin Barrios Mangoré’s Waltz Op. 8, No. 4 at the White House Evening of Classical Music on November 4, 2009.


Concert pianist Awadagin Pratt performs J.S. Bach’s Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor, BWV 582 at the White House Evening of Classical Music on November 4, 2009.


Cellist Alisa Weilerstein performs Zoltán Kodály’s Sonata for Solo Cello, Op. 8 and III. Allegro molto vivace at the White House Evening of Classical Music on November 4, 2009.


Cellists Alisa Weilerstein and 8 year-old Sujari Britt perform Luigi Boccherini's Sonata for Two Cellos in C Major, 1st movement: Allegro moderato. November 4, 2009


Cellist Alisa Weilerstein and 16 year-old percussionist Jason Yoder perform Camille Saint Saëns’ The Swan at the White House Evening of Classical Music on November 4, 2009.


Joshua Bell and Awadagin Pratt perform Maurice Ravel’s Tzigane at the White House Evening of Classical Music on November 4, 2009.


Joshua Bell and Sharon Isbin perform Niccolò Paganini’s Cantabile at the White House Evening of Classical Music on November 4, 2009.


Joshua Bell, Awadagin Pratt, and Alisa Weilerstein Perform Felix Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor, Op. 49 and the finale, Allegro assai appassionato, at the White House Evening of Classical Music on November 4, 2009.

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First of the White House Music Series: JAZZ (Video and Pictures)

The White House sounded more like the music wing of a high school than a seat of government Monday — and that's just the way first lady Michelle Obama likes it.

Mrs. Obama launched a White House music festival that brought 150 students together with musical legends like Wynton Marsalis and Paquito D'Rivera for a workshop on jazz, which the first lady called "America's greatest artistic gift to the world."

A jazz ensemble is like a democracy, Mrs. Obama said, and proves that "when we work together, there's nothing we can't do."

[snip]

Kyle Wedberg, interim president of the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, brought several students to Monday's workshop, and said the first lady is sending youth a powerful message.

"Normal, everyday Americans have a place in this White House," Wedberg said. read more here...

From East Wing Rules: Jazz Class at the White House

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