A music festival highlighting African American concert music is set for later this month in Atlanta.

The 2013 Atlanta Music Festival: African American Concert Music and American Culture is set to run Sept. 18-21. It will include performances panel discussions and programs meant to explore American music and arts through the lens of African American concert music.

The festival has its roots in an effort by First Congregational Church more than 100 years ago to unite all Atlantans through music with what was called the Atlanta Colored Music Festival. It took shape in 1910, when African American minister Henry Hugh Proctor had the idea to strive for racial harmony through music appreciation.

The festival is organized by Emory University, Atlanta's First Congregational Church and Meridian Herald.

Tags: music, Emory University, Music Festival, Georgia music festivals, african american music, atlanta music festival, african american concert music, first congregational church, atlanta colored music festival, meridian herald