Comments on President Obama's speech are better posted elsewhere. I've made many. Likewise Mrs. Obama's hairstyle and the loveliness of the presidential daughters. As to the music: Who can forget Aretha Franklin and My Country 'Tis of Thee in 2009. You could pitch a tent with that bow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhc6KVrhj4Q Frank Sinatra was in charge of the entertainment for John F. Kennedy's inaugural in 1961. Richard Nixon had the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and George W. Bush invited Hall and Oates. Yesterday saw James Taylor past his shelf life. Kelly Clarkson looked scared and sounded tentative and the sultry Beyoncé. But here's what I loved: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YELQu82OjM The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir is conducted by Carol Cymbala. The lovely soprano soloist is Alicia Miles. She's working on an opera career. I'd buy a ticket. Find out more through the choir's website.
Christopher Purdy is Classical 101's early morning host, 7-10 a.m. weekdays. He is host and producer of Front Row Center – Classical 101’s weekly celebration of Opera and more – as well as Music in Mid-Ohio, Concerts at Ohio State, and the Columbus Symphony broadcast series. He is the regular pre-concert speaker for Columbus Symphony performances in the Ohio Theater.