How The Illharmonic's mix of hip-hop and classical builds community, one show at a time

The Illharmonic Orchestra is merging two musical worlds that rarely meet. According to NPR, the ensemble blends hip-hop lyricism with classical instrumentation, fronted by all-Black musicians. Beyond the performances themselves, the group is creating something equally important: spaces where artists and audiences alike have found genuine welcome in a classical music world that hasn't always been accessible to them.

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