ICYOLA, the largest youth orchestra of color in the country, will launch its first-ever national tour, I, Too, Sing America, this July, performing at four of the most historically significant venues in the United States. Inspired by Langston Hughes’ timeless poem “I, Too,” – an ageless call for unity, belonging, and the promise of a more inclusive tomorrow – the tour sets the stage for the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased HERE.
TOUR DATES & VENUES
- July 12, 2026 – 3:00 PM | Walt Disney Concert Hall – Los Angeles, CA
- July 14, 2026 – 5:00 PM | Mount Rushmore Amphitheater – Keystone, SD
- July 17, 2026 – 7:00 PM | National Museum of African American History and Culture – Washington, D.C.
- July 18, 2026 – 6:00PM | Christ Fellowship Baptist Church – Brooklyn, NY
- July 19, 2026 – 10:30 AM |Riverside Church – New York, NY
- July 19, 2026 – 3:00 PM |Convent Avenue Baptist Church – New York, NY
“This tour is about more than music,” says Charles Dickerson, Conductor and Founder of ICYOLA. “It is about our young people standing in the most iconic spaces in America and knowing, without question, that they belong there. That their history is American history and their voices are part of this country’s story. We are celebrating 250 years of America, and we are doing it fully and together.”
At Mount Rushmore—a monument to the founding promise that all are created equal—ICYOLA’s young musicians will perform works by composers of color for audiences who may be hearing them there for the first time. At the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, the orchestra will perform in a space dedicated to the enduring contributions of Black Americans to the nation’s history and culture. The New York City portion of the tour will take place across three powerful and historic houses of worship: Christ Fellowship Baptist Church in Brooklyn, The Riverside Church in Manhattan, and Convent Avenue Baptist Church in Harlem. Together, these sacred spaces reflect New York City’s rich legacy of faith, culture, community leadership, and social impact, providing a meaningful backdrop for I, Too, Sing America as it celebrates the resilience, excellence, and enduring contributions of African Americans through the power of music.
For many of ICYOLA’s young musicians, this tour will be their first opportunity to travel across the country and stand in these historic places. To see themselves reflected in America’s story, and to share their music with communities far beyond Los Angeles, this experience is itself a part of ICYOLA’s mission.
Tickets and tour information are available at icyola.org. Follow along for updates and come make history with ICYOLA.
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