Afro-Caribbean Steel & Brass Orchestra
Honoring its musical heritage & shaping the future.
“A Symphony of Culture and Connection Across the Diaspora”

Under the direction of Dion Parson, The Afro-Caribbean Steel & Brass Orchestra is a cross-cultural large ensemble blending steel pan traditions, jazz brass and winds, and African-Caribbean rhythms to bring the musical stories of the diaspora to life through powerful, story-driven performance.

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​Saturday, April 18, 2026

7:00pm

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Afro-Caribbean Steel & Brass 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.