Speakeysie News Service

ATLANTA – The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra will host its inaugural HBCU AccessFest: College, Career and Community Fair, on Saturday, September 16, 12pm to 6pm at the Woodruff Arts Center.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) play an important role in empowering their students to celebrate their heritage. The HBCU AccessFest will provide valuable resources and information to help students and families explore their options for higher education, internships, mentorship, and career paths.

Planned activities include an HBCU College Fair, interactive booths, workshops, and networking opportunities. The event will also feature panel discussions to educate the community on financial wellness, introduce career pipelines for current HBCU students, and support Black- owned and HBCU vendors.

“We recognize the importance of providing opportunities for communities of color to succeed and thrive and are proud to host the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) AccessFest,” said Brandi Hoyos, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion director at the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. “We look forward to investing in the Atlanta community, elevating Black voices and supporting creative vision as a foundation for success.” 

Other campus activities for the weekend include the ASO’s “Movies in Concert” production of Marvel Studios’ Black Panther in Concert on September 15-17, furthering the ASO’s commitment to the importance of representation and diversity in the arts.

“We are excited to further our relationships with many of the partners in the HBCU AccessFest and to make new friends. These partnerships are instrumental to our mission to enrich the community through music,” said Jennifer Barlament, Executive Director of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. 

Admission is free to the public and tickets for the HBCU AcessFest are not required. Additional details are available here: HBCU AccessFest: College, Career and Community Fair | AtlantaSymphony Orchestra (aso.org)
 

About the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

Under the leadership of Music Director Nathalie Stutzmann, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) offers live performances, media initiatives, and learning programs that unite, educate and enrich our community through the engaging and transformative power of orchestral music experiences. The ASO engages the diverse international community of our city, bringing people together in harmony—including our youngest citizens, with extensive opportunities for youth and families to fall in love with music. Two of the hallmark education programs celebrate anniversaries this season: the Atlanta Youth Symphony Orchestra celebrates 50 years and the Talent Development Program turns 30.

The Orchestra’s range and depth are featured in more than 150 concerts each year, including the flagship Delta Classical Series, Movies in Concert, Family Concerts, Coca-Cola Holiday series, and many community and education concerts. In addition, the ASO presents many vibrant, wide-ranging events and artists through its Delta Atlanta Symphony Hall Live presentations. The ASO also performs with the ASO Chorus, originally founded by Robert Shaw, and currently under the direction of Norman Mackenzie. The Chorus is featured on nine of the ASO’s 27 Grammy® Award-winning recordings.