“Music and Diplomacy” Shines a Light on The Power of Music in America’s 250-Year History

Mayor Steven T. Noble and the Department of Arts and Cultural Affairs are pleased to announce the City of Kingston, together with Bard College and the World Affairs Council of the Mid-Hudson Valley, will host “Music and Diplomacy,” a historic event on Sunday, March 29, 2026, from 3:00-5:00pm at Old Dutch Church.

Part of the City of Kingston’s 250 Years of America’s Voices, Stories and Histories series of events, the “Music and Diplomacy” concert and panel discussion will explore how music has served as an important element of intercultural exchange and American soft power throughout US history.

Mayor Noble said, “We are thrilled to partner with Bard College and the World Affairs Council to host this world-class event at Old Dutch Church. This event, which is part of our yearlong Kingston 250 commemoration, will give attendees insight into the unique role that music has played in US foreign affairs.”

The event will open with a performance by Bard College’s US-China Music Institute’s unique East/West Ensemble, made up of Chinese and Western instruments that has toured the US and China, followed by a panel discussion moderated by Malia Du Mont, Vice President for Strategy and Policy/Chief of Staff at Bard College, chair of Congressman Ryan’s Veterans and Military Families Advisory Board, and Board Member of World Affairs Council of the Mid-Hudson Valley. The panel will comprise renowned musicians who have a background in international education, diplomacy, and cultural exchange: Jindong Cai, Jim Ketterer, and Philip D. Tappan.

Bard College Chief of Staff & VP for Strategy and Policy Malia Du Mont said, “Music has long played an important part in diplomatic and cultural relations between nations. We are lucky that our community is home to musicians who have played a part in this story, bringing America’s musical heritage to other countries. This program will be a fascinating opportunity to hear from musician-diplomats about their experiences, in their own words and also through a unique musical performance.”

“This third installment of the City of Kingston’s 2026 250 Years of America’s Voices series is profoundly reflective of the impact music has had in shaping international perceptions, and influencing social change or political negotiations, especially during times of conflict,” said Kitt Potter, Director of Arts and Cultural Affairs. “The City of Kingston and Old Dutch Church are honored to host this incredible program and thank the Radio Kingston Tech Team for their support.”

Jindong Cai is the Director of the US-China Music Institute, the leading venue for musical collaboration between the US and China, with performances that introduce American audiences to traditional and contemporary Chinese music, and academic conferences that explore the history of Chinese-American musical exchange. Cai is an expert on the history of Western music in China and how music helped facilitate China’s relations with the West.

Jim Ketterer, Senior Fellow at the Bard College Center for Civic Engagement, is an instructor in Bard’s Master of Arts in Global Studies program, a Middle East expert, and a jazz musician. He previously served as a staff member of the National Security Council at the White House, a Policy Analyst for the NYS Senate, and served as a Dean at the American University in Cairo and Egypt Country Director for Amideast, a US educational and cultural affairs organization. While in Egypt he worked closely with the US Embassy to arrange two major jazz diplomacy tours. Ketterer’s family is originally from Kingston.

Philip D. Tappan, pianist, composer, and conductor, is deputy commander of the West Point Band. He has taught English and American culture in the Republic of Georgia and was deployed twice to Afghanistan as the officer in charge of the U.S. Forces Afghanistan Band.

A concert by Ketterer’s Arch Stanton Quartet will close the event with a tribute to the Jazz Ambassadors with special guest vocalist Kitt Potter. The band toured Egypt on a US State Department program.

The event is free and open to the public.

“Music and Diplomacy” is made possible in part by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

About Bard College

Founded in 1860, Bard College is a four-year residential college of the liberal arts and sciences located 90 miles north of New York City. Bard College has expanded its mission as a private institution acting in the public interest across the country and around the world to meet broader student needs and increase access to liberal arts education. Bard is committed to enriching culture, public life, and democratic discourse by training tomorrow’s thought leaders. For more information about Bard College, visit bard.edu.

 

About World Affairs Council of the Mid-Hudson Valley

The mission of the organization is to build bridges between communities, creating thoughtful, inclusive spaces for informed and meaningful discourse about world affairs. Our volunteer-driven efforts contribute to responsible global citizenship and a better understanding of the interconnected world.

For more information, please visit https://kingston-ny.gov/musicdiplomacy