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Melanie and the 2011 White House Christmas Tree
As you may recall from a previous blog entry, I play violin with the Symphony Orchestra of Arlington. Recently, a chamber group from the orchestra had the unique opportunity to perform at the White House during their last day of holiday tours for the year on Friday, December 23.
If you’ve never been to the White House during the holiday season, then I highly recommend you put it on your bucket list. Each year, it is the First Lady’s job to determine how to decorate the White House. Much like the influx of tourists to Manhattan to see holiday displays of grandeur, thousands of Americans set their sights on touring the President’s home between Thanksgiving and Christmas. In December alone, the White House welcomed 85,000 guests through its East Wing halls.
I had the opportunity in 2005, my first year in D.C., to tour the festively decorated residence as a member of Capitol Hill staff. This was quite an experience for me back then, and I can say that it was only topped by getting to be the musical entertainment this time around. Our chamber group consisted of roughly 16 musicians ranging in instruments from the violin to the bassoon. We played mostly familiar Christmas carols, but we also performed one of my favorite classical pieces – Concerto Grosso by Corelli, a challenging but beautiful piece.
Some of the coolest aspects of the performance (outside the performance itself!) were that we were placed in the same holding room the White House uses for all of its performers (from Yo Yo Ma to Willie Nelson), we got to tour before playing, we received freshly baked cookies from the White House pastry chef afterward, and we even got memento badges that said ‘White House Holiday Tour Talent’ on them. Oh, and on our way out, we learned that President Obama was upstairs the whole time we played, which makes me wonder if he heard our spirited entertainment.
While guests touring the White House could hear us wherever they were, many people stopped to watch and listen. We interacted with them in between songs, even posing for a few of their photos. As I look back on the many events of 2011, I have to say that this was truly a special way to round out a spectacular year. This holiday season, I can’t think of a bigger treat than to be part of the Symphony Orchestra of Arlington’s chamber group that performed at the White House. Click here to see our photos from the event.
Please come watch our full group perform ‘Broadway Favorites!’ on Friday, January 20, 2012 at the Rosslyn Spectrum Theatre. Learn more here.
Cheers and Happy New Year!
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