ARTSEDGE: The Kitchen Sink

Master Sgt. Jari Villanueva, a musician with the United States Air Force Ceremonial Brass, reviews ceremonial music in military, including the historic 1963 funeral for President John F. Kennedy at Arlington National Cemetery. Sgt. Villanueva discusses the role of musicians in the military, demonstrates battlefield bugle calls and talks about why the 24 notes of  “Taps” are the toughest notes a military bugler has to play.

Join playwright Jerome Hairson and director Scot Reese as they bring the story of Blues Journey from page to stage, developing the original book of blues lyrics into a fully realized play, rich with musical performances. Blues Journey follows the life of a blues performer as he learns to play, finds fame, and witnesses the blues evolve into rock-and-roll in this world premiere Kennedy Center original production based on the children's book by Walter Dean Myers.

Follow the process of bringing Norton Juster’s beloved book from the golden age of children’s literature to the stage. Commissioned by The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, this world-premiere musical tells the story of Milo, who comes to realize that life is more exciting than his wildest dreams. This inventive musical features a melodious score by Arnold Black and witty lyrics full of wordplay by Pulitzer Prize and three-time Tony winner Sheldon Harnick (Fiddler on the Roof, She Loves Me).

Lincoln attended the theater frequently—opera being a particular favorite. In this final episode in the series, we look at the small plays and full-scale spectacles that caught his imagination and interest.

In this second episode, we focus on the political music of Abraham Lincoln’s time—both music created to support the presidential candidates and the music in support—or in protest—of the Civil War.

Abe Lincoln heard and sang much of the music of his time— popular music like the songs of Stephen Foster, as well as concert music and opera.   In this first of three episodes, we explore the President's love of, and reliance upon, the popular and folk music of the time.

The Arab World spans the width of North African Maghreb, across the Arabian Peninsula and into the Levant. Centuries of indigenous and nomadic traditions have created a musical cultural tapestry of unique regional styles bound by common themes and ideas. In the 21st Century, Arabic folk music traditions have been confronted with increased globalization, from Egyptian mega-star Umm Kulthum, to the worldwide influence of Western media. Host Georges Collinet (NPR’s Afropop Worldwide) is joined by Arabic musicians to discuss the many styles and future of music of the Arab World.

Much of what defines the music of the Arab World is the experience, not only for the musician, but also for the listener. In the Arab World, the audience is an active participant, responding to the ornamental and improvisatory offerings of the players, giving vocal feedback while in a state of “musical ecstacy.” Joined by Arabic music scholars and musicians, host Georges Collinet (NPR’s Afropop Worldwide) explores this important bond between musician and audience, and how it creates a unique musical relationship.

To western ears and eyes, musical instruments and of the Arab World may seem exotic. Host Georges Collinet (NPR’s Afropop Worldwide) is joined by scholars and musicians to explore the sounds and history of Arab musical instruments, such as the qanun, the oud, the rebab and the nay. The rhythms and musical tonality that help define the rich sound of Arabic music are explored in this informative podcast.

Started in 1969 by Roger L. Stevens, the Kennedy Center's founding chairman, the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) is a national theater program involving 18,000 students from colleges and universities nationwide which has served as a catalyst in improving the quality of college theater  in the United States. The KCACTF has grown into a network of more than 600 academic institutions throughout the country, where theater departments and student artists showcase their work and receive outside assessment by KCACTF respondents.   Each year 8 regional festivals are presented in varying locations throughout the country.  The festival culminates each year in a national springtime festival at the Kennedy Center which showcases selected productions, provides student and faculty artists with training opportunities with theater’s finest practitioners, and rewards selected student artists with second step opportunities through fellowships, scholarships, and residencies. http://www.kennedy-center.org/education/actf/