National Medal of Arts in Photos
UMS was selected as one of the 2014 recipients of the National Medal of Arts, the nation’s highest public artistic honor, awarded annually at the White House by the President of the United States to those who have “demonstrated a lifetime of creative excellence,” according to the National Endowment for the Arts, which oversees the selection process. In the photo above, UMS president Ken Fischer receives the award.
Explore other photos from the ceremony below, including photos of the UMS delegation, the other National Medal of Arts recipients, and President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
- United States President Barack Obama presents the National Medal of Arts to the University Musical Society of Ann Arbor, Michigan. In the photo above, UMS president Ken Fischer accepts the award on behalf of UMS.
- There were two National Medals of Arts awarded to institutions: UMS and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. The representatives from each included (left to right), UMS Director of Programming Michael Kondziolka, DDCF Program Officer Cheryl Ikemia, DDCF President Ed Henry and his wife Susan Monk, UMS Board Chair Stephen Forrest, DDCF Program Officer Ben Cameron, UMS President Ken Fischer.
- U-M professor Emeritus and tenor George Shirley receives his medal from the president.
- George Shirley, his wife Gladys, and their two children with NEA Chair Jane Chu at the White House.
- Past UMS board chairs with medal at Hill Auditorium. Left to right: Bev Geitner, Norman Herbert, Steve Palms, Prue Rosenthal, David Herzig, and Ken Fischer.
- Left to right: Michael Kondziolka, Stephen Forrest, Ken Fischer.
- Awardees Ping Chong and Meredith Monk, both of whom appear on UMS’s 2016-17 season, outside the United States Institute of Peace, site of the Gala Dinner held on the eve of the White House ceremony.
- UMS President Ken Fischer with fellow awardee, actress Sally Field.
- UMS President Ken Fischer with U-M Regent Andrea Fischer Newman (left) and U.S. Congressional Representative from Ann Arbor Debbie Dingell at a special dinner following the White House ceremony.
- UMS President Ken Fischer with fellow awardee, author Stephen King.
- UMS President Ken Fischer at the White House with National Medal of Humanities recipient Alice Waters, chef, activist, restaurateur, and author.
- UMS President with fellow awardee George Shirley and U-M School of Music, Theatre & Dance Dean Aaron Dworkin at the Gala Dinner at the United Stataes Institute of Peace on the eve of the White House ceremony.
- White House photo: UMS cohort.
- White House photo: Medalist cohort.
George Shirley on Countertenor David Daniels
Editor’s note: Countertenor David Daniel’s performs in the “What’s in a Song?” evening of song music curated by pianist Martin Katz on January 8, 2016 in Hill Auditorium.
U-M Emeritus Professor of Voice George Shirley remembers his student, U-M alumnus David Daniels, who has led the resurgence of interest in countertenors over the past two decades. In 2015, Daniels will join the faculty of U-M School of Music, Theatre & Dance.
Behind the Scenes with countertenor David Trudgen
This post is a part of a series of playlists curated by artists, UMS Staff, and community. Check out more music here.
Photo: David Trudgen. Courtesy of the artist.
Countertenor David Trudgen performs in Handel’s Messiah on December 7 and 8, 2013. We had the chance to chat with David about his time in Ann Arbor and about what he’s been listening to lately. Check out his selections in the playlist below.
UMS: We know that you’re a University of Michigan alum. Can you talk a little about your time in Ann Arbor, and what you’re looking forward to in coming back?
David Trudgen: Looking back at my 2 years at Michigan brings up so many fantastic memories, but also reminds me of the opportunities I came to through U-M, like the chances to sing at Carnegie Hall in NYC and at the Kennedy Center in DC. And of course, I loved attending football games at the Big House.
For having as much fun as I had, I also worked very hard. I spent most of my free time at the School of Music, Theatre & Dance, where I was constantly learning new music, and trying to absorb all I could, because I knew this school could give me the tools that I needed to succeed as a musician. I wouldn’t have gotten to where I am without the advice of George Shirley, my voice professor, Martin Katz, my vocal coach, and all of the professors at the U-M School of Music.
I am so excited that UMS has asked me come back to perform as part of this year’s Handel’s Messiah. I remember attending Messiah at Hill Auditorium while I was in school and dreaming about singing this piece on the stage of this amazing building. Who knew that dream would come true? I also wanted to say another special thanks to Dr. Jerry Blackstone and UMS for the invitation. I feel honored to come back to sing at my Alma mater!
David’s Playlist:
Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes by Benjamin Britten
Symphony No. 3 by Henryk Górecki with Dawn Upshaw, Soprano
Chasing Pavements by Adele
Make You Feel My Love by Adele
“As with rosy steps the morn” from Theodora by Handel with Lorraine Hunt Lieberson
Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23 by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Burn by Ellie Goulding
Love Game by Lady GaGa
You and I Both by Jason Mraz
“He has come…. Do not utter a word Anatol” from Vanessa by Barber with Renee Fleming
Let me touch you for a while by Alison Krauss
Brasileiras No. 5 Aria Cantilena by Heitor Villa-Lobos with Renee Fleming
Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
Sleeping Sickness featuring Gordon Downie by City and Colour
Sex on Fire by Kings of Leon
Hey Mama by the Black Eyed Peas
What Now by Rihanna
Selected tracks on our Spotify playlist:
What did you think about this playlist? Share your thoughts or song suggestions in the comments below.
[VIDEO] The Rise of the Countertenor – Philippe Jaroussky
UMS presents French countertenor Philippe Jaroussky with Apollo’s Fire baroque orchestra on November 3rd at Hill Auditorium.
In this video, George Shirley, U of M Joseph Edgar Maddy Distinguished University Emeritus Professor of Voice, discusses the rise of the countertenor.