FAR

BLEMF 2025: Early Music in the African Diaspora

Throughout the early modern period and far into the nineteenth century, the voices of countless musicians of African descent were heard in both enslaved communities and elite cultural circles throughout Europe and the Americas. The circumstances of their lives, too often within the context of extreme racism and brutal human trafficking, varied widely: some crossed paths with kings, popes, and presidents—either by patronage or parentage—and untold others joined voices in their suffering to find strength and praise their God.

The many, often glorious musical achievements of these individuals were long covered over by the writers of history, and only in the last few decades have some of these Black voices from earlier eras been uncovered and recognized. Enslaved, escaped, freed, or born free; uneducated, self-educated, or trained by the most prestigious mentors and institutions; priests, abolitionists, and child prodigies—such vastly different experiences brought forth extraordinary talent and creativity that had profound and lasting impact on global musical culture. It is time now to celebrate them.

In this first-ever Early Music festival dedicated to exploring music by and for Black Africans and their descendants, we bring to you 6 live and 4 virtual concerts paired with preconcert discussions, 5 educational workshops, our 3rd BEMI Players youth performance, 1 very Happy Hour, and our 2nd BLEMF Community Showcase, where we invite Bloomington musicians to the stage.

BLEMF 2025: Early Music in the African Diaspora bears witness to the skill, determination, passion, and faith of Black musicians of the Renaissance through the 19th century, all of which shine brilliantly through every performance—from sacred music to folk song, sonata to spiritual. Join us!

Bloomington Early Music is enormously grateful to the Brabson Family Foundation for their generous support of our festival, without which BLEMF 2025: Early Music in the African Diaspora would not be possible.

BLEMF Events are FREE & OPEN TO ALL. All in-person concert venues are handicap-accessible.

BLEMF Events at FAR

Below is a limited list of events that will take place at FAR. Click here for the full schedule of events.

New Neighbors Children’s Art Exhibit: A partnership with Exodus Refugee Immigration
Evenings at FAR Center | May 25th — 29th

Throughout Festival Week, enjoy artwork created by children of families who have recently joined our community, having left their troubled homelands in other parts of the world. The exhibit will encircle the mainstage space at FAR Center from Opening Night, Sunday, May 25th through Thursday night, May 29th. We are thrilled to mount the New Neighbors exhibit for the second year in a row, and we are more grateful than ever to our new young friends for sharing their artwork with us and for contributing their talents to our festival. Thank you and welcome to Bloomington!

GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY PSI IOTA XI / THE BLOOMINGTON THRIFT SHOP
AND BY BLOOMINGTON FINE ART SUPPLY

Monday, May 26
6:15pm Pre-Concert Discussion
7:00pm Live Concert | Tonos del Sur José Maurício Nunes Garcia: The Sound of Brazil's Classical Legacy

Tuesday, May 27
6:15pm Pre-Concert Discussion
7:00pm Live Concert | The Lisette Project A Song’s Journey from Haiti & Back

Wednesday, May 28
7:00pm SHOWCASE | BLEMF Community Showcase
Bloomington Musicians Take the Stage!

Thursday, May 29
6:15pm Pre-Concert Discussion
7:00pm Live Concert | Bloomington Spirituals Quartet Songs of Sorrow & Songs of Jubilee

View full festival lineup at Blemf.org