Gateways Music Festival Orchestra Will Be The First All-Black Orchestra to Perform at Carnegie Hall in 130 Years
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Posted By: Kennedy Williams on June 29, 2021 The Gateways Music Festival Orchestra is making history as the first all-Black classical symphony orchestra to do a feature performance at Carnegie Hall. It is the first time ever in the prestigious venue’s 130-year history! The historic concert at Carnegie Hall will be held on April 24, 2022, and will serve as the conclusion of the 6-day festival in different venues in Rochester and New York City. The festival will include a full orchestral concert, several chamber recitals, open rehearsals, professional development activities, lectures, panel discussions, and film screenings. The Gateways Music Orchestra was founded in 1993, by concert pianist and educator Armenta Adams (Hummings) Dumisani to bring together Black professional classical musicians. The group became a safe haven away from the discrimination many have experienced from their jobs. Since then, it has expanded to an orchestra made up of 125 musicians and instrumentalists from several larger orchestras such as the New York and Los Angeles Philharmonics, the Cleveland Orchestra, and the National, Boston, Houston, Phoenix, and Detroit symphonies. Their performance at the Carnegie Hall is a historic moment because even though the venue hosted several all-Black ensembles over the years, this is going to be the first feature performance of an all-Black classical symphony orchestra ever. Lee Koonce, who took over as Gateways’ President and Artistic Director after Dumisani’s retirement in 2009, expressed his excitement over the historic debut. “Gateways Music Festival’s journey to Carnegie Hall has been 28 years in the making. To be the first all-Black classical symphony orchestra to headline a performance there is momentous, especially at this time of racial reckoning in our country’s history. Hearing and seeing the Gateways orchestra on Carnegie’s revered main stage will show Black children that they can perform classical music at the highest level while reminding people of all backgrounds that this music belongs to everyone. We are grateful to Carnegie Hall for its belief in our mission and its commitment to showcasing the artistry of Black classical musicians. It’s a sign of hope and heralds a brighter future,” Koonce told Harlem World Magazine. SOURCE: Black News If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Kennedy Williams
From Loganville, GA Spelman College class of 2020 Member Since July 2016 |
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