A conductor in Clarkston, Georgia is looking to add some much-needed diversity into the world of classical music. Jason Rodgers has founded Atlanta’s first all-black ensemble, which will be known as Orchestra Noir. The group hopes to encourage other classical music programs to further the cause of diversity. Orchestra Noir will debut on Friday, September 16 at the Georgia Freight Depot. We revisit our conversation with Rodgers and Caen Thomason-Redus of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra about the current status of diversity in classical music.

Plus, visual artist Ayana Jackson fights photography with photography. She uses her lens to explore how images captured by white photographers shape and construct African and African-American identities. In her latest collection, she assumes the role of historic black women from the 19th century, including her own relatives. Her images will be on display as part of the exhibit "AFRICA FORECAST: Fashioning Contemporary Life" at the Spelman College of Museum of Fine Arts. We speak with Jackson about her work, how Africans and African-Americans are represented through images, and why the race of the person behind the lens matters.

And, William Bell is one of Georgia’s most venerable musical performers, recording and touring the globe during his decades-long career. His musical stylings have inspired many artists after him, but the veteran soul singer still isn’t done adding more pages to his personal story. He released his new album “This Is Where I Live” back in June. He will perform in Atlanta on Thursday, September 15 at the City Winery. Bell talks with us about his life and work and what he thinks about the state of music in the South. 

Tags: OST Full Show  Atlanta  Georgia