Past Shows
"In Performance at the White House" began with an East Room recital by the legendary pianist Vladimir Horowitz in 1978, and since then has embraced virtually every genre of American music: pop, country, gospel, jazz and the blues among them. The series was created to showcase the rich fabric of American culture in the setting of the nation's most famous home. Past programs have showcased such talent as the United States Marine Band, singer Natalie Cole, the best of Broadway musicals and the Dance Theatre of Harlem. "Stevie Wonder In Performance at the White House: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize" was the first "In Performance at the White House" program during President Barack Obama's Administration. A full list of past shows is also available.
Watch web exclusive clips and entire broadcasts of past performaces from the "In Performance at the White House" series.
Red, White and Blues
"In Performance at the White House: Red, White and Blues" aired on February 27, 2012. The evening honored the musical form that sprang from the Mississippi Delta and flourished in the Westside of Chicago with deep roots in Africa and slavery. The performances will explore those roots and pay homage to the great figures of the Blues and the songs they made famous by tracing the influence of the Blues on modern American music from soul to rock'n'roll.
Country Music
"Country Music: In Performance at the White House" aired November 23, 2011. The evening celebrates Country music, whose roots run deep throughout American history. Taped on November 21, this concert honors the rich history and resilience of this uniquely American musical form. Leading contemporary Country artists pay tribute to many of Country's iconic figures, tracing the history of Country music through performed songs.
Motown Sound
"The Motown Sound: In Performance at the White House" aired March 1, 2011. The program celebrated Black History Month and the legacy of Motown, the distinctive soul-infused pop music sound, style and presentation that was born in Detroit and embodied by the Motown Records label. The evening included perofrmances by the host Jamie Foxx, Natasha Bedingfield, Sheryl Crow, the group Gloriana, Nick Jonas, Ledisi, John Legend, Amber Riley, Smokey Robinson, Mark Salling, Seal and Jordin Sparks.
A Broadway Celebration
"A Broadway Celebration: In Performance at the White House" aired Wednesday, October 20 on PBS stations nationwide. The sixty-minute television special was emceed by Nathan Lane and included Idina Menzel, Brian d'Arcy James, Audra McDonald, Chad Kimball, Elaine Stritch, Marvin Hamlisch, Karen Olivo, Tonya Pinkins, Assata Alston and a youth ensemble from the Joy of Motion Dance Center and Duke Ellington School of the Arts, with Danielle Arci and Constantine Rousouli.
Paul McCartney: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song
"Paul McCartney: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song In Performance at the White House" taped on Tuesday, June 2 and aired on Wednesday, July 28 on PBS stations nationwide. The evening included performances by McCartney himself and Stevie Wonder, Elvis Costello, Jonas Brothers, Herbie Hancock, Corinne Bailey Rae, Dave Grohl, Faith Hill, Emmylou Harris, Lang Lang and Jack White, with remarks by Jerry Seinfeld. President Obama conferred the Gershwin Prize upon McCartney during the event.
A Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement
President and Mrs. Obama hosted "In Performance at the White House: A Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement" in honor of Black History Month. The evening featured songs from the Civil Rights Movement performed by top entertainers, as well as readings from famous Civil Rights speeches and writings. Artists included Yolanda Adams, Joan Baez, Natalie Cole, Bob Dylan, Jennifer Hudson, John Mellencamp, Smokey Robinson, the Blind Boys of Alabama, the Howard University Choir and The Freedom Singers, featuring Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon, Rutha Harris, Charles Neblett and Toshi Reagon. Morgan Freeman was a guest speaker. The sixty-minute program aired on February 11 on PBS stations nationwide.
Fiesta Latina
"In Performance at the White House: Fiesta Latina" is a concert hosted by the President and Mrs. Obama on the South Lawn of the White House. The program celebrates Hispanic musical heritage and includes performances by Marc Anthony, Jimmy Smits, Eva Longoria Parker, Pete Escovedo, Gloria Estefan, José Feliciano, George Lopez, Thalía, Tito "El Bambino", the Bachata music group Aventura, and the Chicano rock band Los Lobos, with Sheila E. as the musical director. The sixty-minute program aired October 15, 2009 on PBS stations nationwide.
Stevie Wonder
An evening of celebration with President and Mrs. Obama at the White House in honor of musician Stevie Wonder's receipt of the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song took place February 25, 2009. The concert included performances by Wonder with a cavalcade of popular musicians, including India.Arie; Tony Bennett; Wayne Brady; Anita Johnson; Diana Krall; Mary Mary; Martina McBride; Rickey Minor; Paul Simon; Esperanza Spalding; and Will.i.am. performing a selection of Wonder's hit songs. The sixty-minute program aired Thursday, February 26, 2009 on PBS stations nationwide.
"Burt Bacharach & Hal David: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song In Performance at the White House" is a production of WETA Washington, D.C., the Library of Congress, Cappy Productions, Mark Krantz Productions and CoMedia. The "In Performance at the White House” series was created by WETA Washington, D.C. ~The creators of the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song are Bob Kaminsky, Peter Kaminsky, Mark Krantz, Cappy McGarr, Dalton Delan, and Librarian of Congress James H. Billington. ~The executive producers of "Burt Bacharach & Hal David: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song In Performance at the White House" are Bob Kaminsky, Peter Kaminsky, Mark Krantz and Cappy McGarr; WETA executive producers are Dalton Delan and David S. Thompson. ~The program producers are Eileen Bernstein and Allen Kelman. ~The program director is Linda Mendoza. ~The music producer is Phil Ramone. The music director is Robert Mounsey. ~The series producer is Jackson Frost. Corporate funding for the program is provided by Sprint Nextel Corporation. Foundation support is provided by the Anne Ray Charitable Trust; The Annenberg Foundation; the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP); and the Ira and Leonore S. Gershwin Fund. Individual support is from Cari and Michael J. Sacks. Major funding is also provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, PBS and public television viewers. Air travel is generously provided by American Airlines.
Corporate funding for the program is provided by Sprint Nextel Corporation and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Foundation support is provided by the Anne Ray Charitable Trust, The Annenberg Foundation and The Ira and Leonore S. Gershwin Philanthropic Fund.. Individual support is from Cari and Michael J. Sacks. Major funding is also provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, PBS and public television viewers. Air travel is generously provided by American Airlines.
