The White House Music Series -- Classical's Turn

At last, the White House is ready to take on classical music in its series of music events. Next Wednesday, following the pattern it set with jazz (also here) and then with country music (also here), Michelle Obama will convene a student workshop at 2:25 in the afternoon, followed by an evening concert attended by the President -- and probably the girls.

So who's performing? The stars, in the evening, are violinist Joshua Bell, guitarist Sharon Isbin, cellist Alisa Weilerstein (left) and pianist Awadagin Pratt.

They will also perform at the workshop, along with two child proteges: Sujari Britt, who plays the violoncello, and Jason Yoder, a percussionist, who will accompany Weilerstein in duets.

The White House guidance says the evening performance will be streamed live on WhiteHouse.gov and will air on Sirius radio. And it says there will also be other workshops early in the afternoon focusing on piano, violin, cello and classical guitar for 120 middle and high school students coming in from around the country.

I find these choices very interesting -- none of the performers is associated with one orchestra. None, I think, plays only classical music. Yoder attends the CAPA school in Pittsburgh, and played for the spouses of the leaders attending the summit there in September.

And it's not clear which classical music organization, if any, helped plan this -- as, for example, Jazz At Lincoln Center and the Country Music Association, among others, have for previous events.   

The word from the White House does not say what these performers will play, but it may be telling.