Sounds of the Diaspora Orchestra
Honoring its musical heritage & shaping the future.

Under the direction of Dion Parson, the Sounds of the Diaspora Orchestra brings together the musical traditions of Africa, the Caribbean, and the Americas in a contemporary orchestral setting that honors ancestral roots while creating bold, forward-looking works for today’s audiences.

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​Saturday, April 18, 2026

7:00pm

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Sounds of the Diaspora Orchestra is a contemporary, genre-bridging ensemble directed by Dion Parson that explores the shared musical heritage of Africa, the Caribbean, and the Americas through orchestral performance, original composition, and cultural exchange.

 

Rooted in rhythmic traditions such as African drumming, Caribbean forms, New Orleans jazz, and Western classical music, the orchestra creates new works that reflect the living continuum of the diaspora. Through performances, recordings, and educational engagement, the ensemble fosters cross-cultural understanding, celebrates community histories, and advances an inclusive, globally resonant orchestral voice.

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A special event supported by the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts. The Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation will announce a special grant cycle in late January 2026. 

The Forum will release further details about this event in January 2026, after the the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation announcement.