The Music of the Inauguration

Inauguration visitors to the National Mall Tuesday were greeted by the glorious singing of the San Francisco Boys and Girls Choruses projected on JumboTrons everywhere. In many ways their ethereally beautiful sound set the tone for the rest of the historic event. The music that followed in the ceremony itself was a celebration of the diversity of American culture.
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 We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial – Sunday, January 18 at 2 p.m.
Available online only, 2-5 p.m. The Opening Celebration for the Presidential Inaugural. We Are One is directed by George Stevens, Jr. (The Kennedy Center Honors) and produced by Don Mischer (Olympic Ceremonies) and includes musical performances by Renee Fleming, Josh Groban, Mary J. Blige, Herbie Hancock, Bono, James Taylor, Sheryl Crow, Bruce Springsteen and many more. “Our intention is to root the event in history, celebrating the moments when our nation has united to face great challenges and prevailed,” observes Director George Stevens, Jr. “We will combine historical readings by prominent actors with music from an array of today’s greatest stars.” National Public Radio’s Lisa Simeone hosts.
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Listen (live, online only, Sunday 2-5 p.m.)


Artist Spotlight - Sunday, January 18 at 5 p.m.
Mike McKay’s Artist Spotlight focuses on the music of American composer John Williams. President-Elect Barack Obama commissioned Williams to supply a new work for the Presidential Inauguration ceremony on the steps of the Capitol Building. John Williams' six-decade career includes a few other honors, including 5 Oscars and 20 Grammy Awards. With the help of Davidson college film professor Neil Lerner, McKay charts the remarkable career that’s taken John Williams from North Hollywood High School to the steps of the United States Capitol.


Choral Showcase - Sunday, January 18 at 6 p.m.
Frank Dominguez’ weekly Choral Showcase samples choral music of inaugurations past and present. Preview the accomplished San Francisco Girls Chorus, slated to perform at the Obama Inauguration. Then hear a full line-up of inspirational American choral works, including Randall Thompson’s Testament of Freedom, Ron Nelson’s Behold Man, and Aaron Copland’s “The Promise of Living” from The Tender Land.


Performance Today - Monday, January 19 at 5 p.m.
WDAV presents Performance Today’s “King Celebration,” showcasing the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s special Martin Luther King Day concert, direct from the King Memorial Chapel at Morehouse College in Atlanta. The 2009 “King Celebration” features Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 (a metaphorical journey from darkness into light), and The Passion of Martin Luther King by Nicolas Flagello. Only weeks after King’s death in 1968, Flagello set words from Dr. King’s speeches to music. Robert Spano conducts the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, featuring Baritone Donnie Ray Albert. American Public Media’s Performance Today is hosted by Fred Child.


A Beautiful Symphony of Brotherhood - Monday, January 19 at 7 p.m.
Immediately following the “King Celebration,” WDAV presents “A Beautiful Symphony of Brotherhood: The Musical Journey of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” From his childhood piano lessons and choir singing, to his marriage to a classically trained soprano, to the songs that galvanized the civil rights movement, A Beautiful Symphony of Brotherhood explores the rich musical landscape of Dr. King’s life and times. Host Terrance McKnight of WNYC leads this commemorative examination of a life in music.

Listen at WNYC.org


Presidential Inauguration Day
WDAV marks the inauguration by playing stirring American music throughout the day. At 11 a.m., WDAV joins National Public Radio’s live coverage of the Inauguration Ceremonies. Festivities from the west lawn of the United States Capitol include opening selections from The United States Marine Band, followed by The San Francisco Boys Chorus and The San Francisco Girls Chorus; a piece by acclaimed film composer John Williams, commissioned specifically for the Obama Inauguration and featuring Itzhak Perlman (violin), Yo-Yo Ma (cello), Gabriela Montero (piano) and Anthony McGill (clarinet); the Oath of Office taken by President-elect Barack H. Obama, administered by the Chief Justice of the United States, the Honorable John G. Roberts, Jr.; and the National Anthem, performed by The United States Navy Band “Sea Chanters.”


Performance Today - Tuesday, January 20 at 5 p.m.
Performance Today with Fred Child reviews the new piece John Williams has written for the Obama Inauguration and talks with members of the quartet who premiered the work: Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Gabriela Montero, and Anthony McGill. The balance of the two-hour program is devoted to music with “presidential connections,” including a performance by the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio, a great American ensemble formed for the 1977 inauguration of President Carter; and music from the private collection of Thomas Jefferson.