The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra announced rap artist Ice-T will join the orchestra as part of a the worldwide premiere of Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes’ poetry set to music. Ice-T will orate Hughes’ work “Ask Your Mama: Twelve Moods for Jazz” with the orchestra June 18 in a concert at Hilbert Circle Theatre in Indianapolis.

Ronald McCurdy, chairman of the jazz studies department and professor of music in the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California and founder of the The Langston Hughes Project, composed the music that will accompany the poetry reading. This is the first time Hughes’ poetry has been set to music in this fashion.

“It is a great honor to perform with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and Ron McCurdy for this landmark event celebrating the brilliance of Langston Hughes,” Ice-T said in a press release.

To accompany the music and poetry on stage, a film screen will feature images by black artists and photographers. Jacob Lawrence, Gordon Parks and Harlem Renaissance artist Romare Bearden are among the artists to be featured.

The show will take place at 7:30 p.m. June 18 at the Hilbert Circle Theater. Tickets range from $18 to $70 and can be purchased at the Hilbert Circle Theater Box Office or by calling 317-639-4300 or online at