Join the International African American Museum (IAAM) for Revolutionary Soundscapes, an immersive evening of classical music, spoken word, and guided exploration examining the relationship between African American music and the pursuit of freedom from the Revolutionary era forward. Presented in partnership with the Colour of Music Festival and sponsored by the Duke Energy Foundation, the program unfolds across the Museum’s galleries as a curated journey through sound, history, and place. 

Featuring works by Black composers working within and alongside classical traditions, Revolutionary Soundscapes considers how African-descended people have used music as a form of expression, intellectual inquiry, and cultural continuity during periods of political and social transformation. Spoken word, interpretive text, and short musical activations guide audiences through a sequence of soundscapes that trace the evolving role of music as both historical record and creative response, building toward a culminating ensemble performance. 

As guests move through the Museum, the evening unfolds as a deliberate progression of music and reflection, culminating in a final gathering that brings the program’s themes into collective focus. Together, these soundscapes invite audiences to consider music as a formative force in the making of freedom – one that resonates across generations and continues to shape how histories of resistance, creativity, and belonging are remembered and understood. 

This program is made possible through the generous support of the Duke Energy Foundation.