Obama to “Newcomers” of Classical Music: Michelle Tells Him When to Applaud
Email From Sunlen Miller: “It’s been a busy day for classical music here at the White House,” President Obama said this evening.
He is right: tonight’s concert in the East Room follows a long day of classical musical seminars, awards programs and an afternoon concert which culminated in this evenings ensemble of some of the nation’s best classical musicians. The President noted that the East Room has a “rich history” and “long traditions” for White House concerts – the room being the stage for some of the nation’s most accomplished musicians throughout the years. And he had a little warning on protocol for the newcomers to classical music. “If any of you are newcomers to classical music and aren’t sure when to applaud, don’t be nervous,” Obama joked, “Apparently President Kennedy had the same problem. He and Jackie held several classical music events here and more than once he started applauding when he wasn’t supposed to. So the social secretary worked out a signal when she’d signal him thru a crack in the door to the cross hall.” The President joked that “fortunately” he has Michelle to tell him when to applaud, but the rest of the audience is “on your own.” Mr. Obama said that classical music speaks to a common “universal language.” “There’s precision of course but there’s also great feeling. And improvisation. There’s structure but there’s also creativity.” The President thanked many of the members of Congress in the room and joked, that “despite what you may have heard they are actually a civilized bunch.” The President and the First Lady and the audience listened to a performance by classical guitarist Sharon Isbin, among others. This is the fourth music series the White House has hosted: they have preciously celebrated Latin music, country, and jazz. -Sunlen Miller
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“Behind every great man, is a better woman”. I swear no truer words were ever spoken, Michelle is definitely a neat First Lady. She brings a charisma to the White House much like Laura and Hillary had the same persona we like to see in First Ladies. What happened to their husbands? Only kidding.
I love classical music, was raised listing to the opera’s and could not tell you much about the performers, but the music is pure. Knowing when to clap is a problem because I for one have clapped at the wrong time. It’s almost as embarassing as being the last person to be laughing after a story, and you finally realize it 20 seconds after everyone else has stopped. Oh well, no harm no foul.
Honestly though I would love to see the arts be highlighted more in our schools and our communities. Music and plays are one gift that binds families and community together as much as football and other sports. Maybe one day we will be in a position where we can afford to have these luxuries take a more prominent role in our communities.
Have fun guys.
Posted by: JR Jake | November 4, 2009, 8:18 pm 8:18 pm
More phony Kennedy references. Pretty soon they’ll be making Sasha and Malia play under the Oval Office desk and playing touch football on the South Lawn.
Posted by: mesquito | November 4, 2009, 9:02 pm 9:02 pm
How charming.
I feel like we are watching an Obama reality show with the minute by minute updates of every move of the first family.
Riveting.
Anyone notice we are monetizing the debt that other countries are shunning, the dollar is at all time lows, unemployment the highest in nearly thirty years….
Posted by: samadams | November 4, 2009, 9:46 pm 9:46 pm
the dollar is at all time lows,
samadams | Nov 4, 2009 9:46:55 PM
How exactly do you reconcile that with the fact that the consumer price index is actually down this year (hence the widely-publicized lack of cost-of-living bumps to social security)? The dollar is at all times lows, yet ipods are cheap, flat screen tvs are cheap, clothes are cheap, food prices are flat – what gives?
Posted by: jhw539 | November 4, 2009, 10:10 pm 10:10 pm
Meanwhile… funding for municipal symphony orchestras is being slashed because they play the music of dead white men.
Posted by: Richard Blaine | November 4, 2009, 10:44 pm 10:44 pm
“Meanwhile… funding for municipal symphony orchestras is being slashed because they play the music of dead white men.”
____________________________
You’re thinking about funding for opera . . .
Posted by: tierra | November 4, 2009, 10:49 pm 10:49 pm
“The dollar is at all times lows, yet ipods are cheap, flat screen tvs are cheap, clothes are cheap, food prices are flat – what gives? ”
High and rising unemployment makes people unable to buy food, flat screens, and ipods.
Posted by: Sigmonde | November 4, 2009, 10:59 pm 10:59 pm
“High and rising unemployment makes people unable to buy food, flat screens, and ipods.”
________________________________________
The Democrats just extended unemployment benefits to help people with covering their food, housing and other expenses – and maybe the odd treat if the money works out right.
You have to remember – unemployment is at 10% more or less which means 90% (more or less) are not unemployed. It’s not as if the entire economy has stopped purchasing things.
Posted by: tierra | November 4, 2009, 11:08 pm 11:08 pm
Why doesn’t he work on fixing the economy?! He’s sitting around listening to classical music. I wish Hillary had won, but the DNC took her electoral votes away from her. Well, are they happy now? Obama doesn’t know what he’s doing and he lacksforceful personality needed to get things passed.
Posted by: Bubbles | November 4, 2009, 11:12 pm 11:12 pm
Re: “More phony kennedy references.”
Don’t forget trying to make us think that Michelle has Jackie’s class and style. lol
Posted by: Bubbles | November 4, 2009, 11:14 pm 11:14 pm
High and rising unemployment makes people unable to buy food, flat screens, and ipods.
Posted by: Sigmonde | Nov 4, 2009 10:59:07 PM
So the “dollar at historic lowest” is entirely irrelevant to the purchasing power of the dollar? OK then.
Posted by: jhw539 | November 4, 2009, 11:23 pm 11:23 pm
“The Democrats just extended unemployment benefits to help people with covering their food, housing and other expenses – and maybe the odd treat if the money works out right.”
And how does continuously extending welfare payments to people create new jobs and improve their prosperity? It doesn’t. But from Washington’s perspective, it keeps the sheep from organizing any civil unrest.
“You have to remember – unemployment is at 10% more or less which means 90% (more or less) are not unemployed. It’s not as if the entire economy has stopped purchasing things.”
The 10% figure is bogus. The unemployment and underemployment figure is at least 18% to 20%, if not higher. Major cities like Detroit (run by DEMOCRATS) have unemployment north of 30%.
So how’s that Hope and Change working for you?
Posted by: Jenn | November 5, 2009, 7:05 am 7:05 am
Does he really think this is what being president is all about: concerts at the White House, basketball, free golf, trick or treats, Michelle’s garden, and beer blasts for his buddies?
Posted by: Ferd | November 5, 2009, 8:27 am 8:27 am
Mr president you are not jfk stop with the references. Anyways nothing wrong with some classical music. Nothing has changed for me, not that I expected it would, I only make 35,000 no kids so no tax breaks I am taxed to death. Now more than likely my healthcare plan that I gave up my raise for will like be taxed to death and my paycheck will likely be less. Sad seems from where I am seem like people who make nothing always get free stuff thrown their way the rich people don’t miss the money and the people who make the average salary always get squeezed out of more. Obama hasn’t changed a thing for me or anyone I know. 2012 might be the year I vote for none of the above. I sure miss that 600 dollars I got from Bush.
Posted by: rachel | November 5, 2009, 10:23 am 10:23 am
Mesquito, they already did the cute sasha hiding in daddy’s office bit.
Posted by: rachel | November 5, 2009, 10:24 am 10:24 am
Ohhhh…I thought Obama said that Michelle tells him when to CRAP!
Posted by: RUFUS LEVIN | November 5, 2009, 3:09 pm 3:09 pm
hey guys,the 1st step in health care reform has passed,and it looks like president obama will win over the republicans again..
why am i cheering for him over the republicans? because they are cheering and rooting against him for trying to better our country and they are mad that they lost the election and he beat the fox news/karl rove machine..and he did again tonite..
one question republicans..
why is it fair for the rich to get tax cuts and we the middle and lower class don’t but we have to carry the load of the taxes that they don’t have to pay??
and,why is it that a public option is good enough and used by the senate and house members but when its offered to their constituents,its all wrong and its not good?? maybe its because the republicans are lying and are getting paid by the insurance companies..
lmao..they even call themselves the conservative party and put c’s as their party affiliation instead of r’s for republican..
they don’t even want to be called republicans either,lol…
Posted by: DAVID DONALDSON | November 8, 2009, 2:21 am 2:21 am