Obama spoke at a History of Gospel Music interactive workshop for students from around the country, her customary educational component for the “In Performance at the White House” concert series she has co-hosted since the Obama administrationtook office.
Tuesday night’s concert will feature a bevy of gospel stars and musicians, including Aretha Franklin, Darlene Love, Lyle Lovett and Rodney Crowell.
The student workshop was designed to explore how gospel music has influenced American pop music and culture.
Gospel music, Obama said in her remarks, is “what helps connect us to God, to that higher power,” according to The Associated Press. “For so many, when times have darkened, when there’s struggle, gospel music is that ray of hope and it gives you that strength.”
Gospel was the first music she was exposed to, she said, and it made her want to start piano lessons at age 4. “I didn’t keep it up,” she said.
The concert will be streamed live on the White House website, and broadcast nationwide by PBS on June 26.
President Obama, who is co-hosting, is scheduled to make brief remarks about gospel’s role in American music before the start of what’s expected to be a jump-to-your-feet-show.
“There’s nothing like hearing a choir sing an old gospel track,” Michele Obama said. “When you hear that, it gets your feet tapping and your heart pumping.”
