From the composer’s imagination to the concert hall, watch as emerging composers have their newest works performed for the first time. David Alan Miller, composer Christopher Theofanidis, and musicians of the Albany Symphony guide each new voice through the challenges of composing in the 21st Century. In between the readings, sample new craft beverages from local upstate breweries.

An intimate performance by composer and violinist DBR (Daniel Bernard Roumain), hailed by The New York Times as “about as omnivorous as a contemporary artist gets.”

David Alan Miller, conductor | Regina Carter, violin | Marc Bamuthi Joseph, spoken word artist

Adolphus Hailstork: Symphony No. 4, “Survive”

David Schiff: Selections from Four Sisters

Daniel Roumain & Marc Bamuthi Joseph: Forgiveness, Spoken Word Concerto for Orchestra (world premiere)

A free outdoor community performance by Àṣẹ Dance Theatre Collective, which specializes in dance from the African Diaspora, and Albany Symphony musicians. HKF is a reimagining of ritual dance theater as an action of protest, prayer, and healing. HKF moves the audiences out of the concert hall and into multiple street locations and a world where embodied culture speaks, sings, and moves without fear. Join Adia Tamar Whitaker, dancers from the Àṣẹ Dance Theatre Collective, and musicians from the Albany Symphony for a free Afro-Caribbean music and movement event bringing together elements of Whitaker’s work from her Convergence residency.

Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Hip-hop with a love song set list spun by DJs from Collectiveffort.

Watch and listen as composer and professor Christopher Theofanidis works with talented composers on honing their craft as part of his weeklong AMF workshop Orchestrating for the 21st Century. Hear how it all comes together on Sunday night at First Draughts Reading Sessions.

Regina Carter Quintet

Convergence Curating Artist and NEA Jazz Master Regina Carter leads her quintet in a powerful musical exploration of the impact of urban development in Black and immigrant communities beginning in the 1950s, and the resulting displacement of people, culture, and neighborhoods in Carter’s hometown of Detroit and others. This special performance includes a world premiere addition about the Capital Region featuring musicians from your Albany Symphony.

Join Marc Bamuthi Joseph, Albany Symphony Convergence Curating Artist and Kennedy Center Vice President and Artistic Director of Social Impact, for a special performance preview and conversation about his upcoming American Music Festival World Premiere Forgiveness Suite for Spoken Word and Orchestra, co-created by Bamuthi and composer Daniel Bernard Roumain (DBR). Lunch and fellowship to follow.

Dance and learn with Adia and Guy! Take part in an immersive Afro-Caribbean dance lesson, and practice for a community performance as part of ASO’s American Music Festival in June.

Explore jazz vocalization and harmony through Mary Lou Williams’ Our Father from her Mass for Peace with Carol Daggs.

Join us for a panel discussion facilitated by composer Joel Thompson, artist/poet D. Colin, and artist Josh MacPhee about oppression, activism, and how they are using their chosen art forms to faciliate conversations and change. Then, explore the Opalka Gallery and Josh MacPhee’s exhibit Graphic Liberation before creating your own screenprinted poster!

Join Jordan Taylor Hill for a West African drumming and dance workshop! Participants will have an opportunity to practice rhythms on drums and learn cultural dances.

The second-ever Convergence Summit will feature workshops, lessons, lectures, and more as we explore Black American art forms, facilitated by acclaimed Curating Artists and Artist Ambassadors.

Capital Region Creatives: Come be a part of Convergence! This initiative places community artists and Albany Symphony musicians in Albany High School classes and at free public events in the Arbor Hill and Delaware neighborhoods to explore Black American experiences through music, dance, spoken word, and more.

Join Afro-Haitian and Contemporary Dancer, Artistic Director of Àṣẹ Dance Theatre Collective and Albany Symphony Curating Artist Adia Tamar Whitaker for a free interactive movement-based workshop that incorporates historical and cultural learnings about the Pinkster Festival. Participants will explore the practical and spiritual uses for music and percussion in early Black American culture.

Come in comfortable clothes. Lunch will be provided. No experience required!

Jazz violinist and Convergence Curating Artist Regina Carter returns for the continuation of Gone in a Phrase of Air, an exploration of the impact of “urban renewal” on African American and immigrant communities. Join us for an interactive discussion with members of our community displaced or impacted by the construction of the Empire State Plaza.

Convergence Curating Artist Marc Bamuthi Joseph returns to Albany for two workshops as part of his project, Forgiveness as a Path to Healing.

Join Afro-Haitian and Contemporary Dancer, Artistic Director of Àṣẹ Dance Theatre Collective and Albany Symphony Curating Artist Adia Tamar Whitaker for a free interactive talk and dance workshop! Adia will share her vision for her new project with the Symphony and community, and lead a dance workshop for participants. All ages welcome, especially middle school and up. Casual supper provided. No experience required!

Join jazz violinist Regina Carter, local artists and Albany Symphony musicians as we begin to explore "urban renewal" and its effects on the African American and immigrant communities in Albany. Come create music and poetry with us—no musical experience required. (But feel free to bring an instrument if you have one!) A light lunch will be provided.

This event is free and open to the public. (All ages welcome.) Pre-registration is encouraged.