Hey, Michelle: Why No Classical Music?
Early in her husband’s presidency, Michelle Obama invited classical musicians to the White House, to give the place a little when-Jackie-invited-Pablo-Casals class. The Obamas have hosted plenty of musical soirees since, but they have been conspicuously short on classical performers. The Bach-and-Beethoven crowd gets short shrift again this week. Today, the First Lady will host students from Turnaround Arts schools across the nation and renowned performers and artists at the first-ever White House talent show. Students will perform and showcase their work at the White House, joined by the Turnaround Artists who have been volunteering with their schools to support their arts education. A worthy cause, but a peek at the long list of invited artists shows not a single classical performer. Boo! Hiss!
