Gateways Music Festival: A Vibrant Tapestry of Black Classical Brilliance Returns to NYC

New York City, prepare to be moved. The Gateways Music Festival, a vital force celebrating the transformative power of Black classical artistry, is set to ignite the city with its Spring Festival from April 24th to 27th. Following an initial series of concerts and conversations in Rochester, this week-long immersion promises a rich array of performances, insightful lectures, and engaging masterclasses, all anchored by the exceptional musicianship of the Gateways Festival Orchestra.

This isn’t just another series of concerts; it’s a homecoming. The Gateways Festival Orchestra, a powerhouse ensemble comprised of Black professional classical musicians hailing from the nation’s most prestigious orchestras and music faculties, will make its highly anticipated return to the hallowed stage of Carnegie Hall on April 27th. Their sold-out debut in 2022 was a landmark moment, and this return, once again under the baton of the dynamic conductor Anthony Parnther, promises to be equally significant.

The finale concert program is a carefully curated dialogue across time and cultures. It pairs the folk-inspired symphonies of Antonín Dvořák and William Levi Dawson, a resonant juxtaposition highlighting the universal language of music and the unique contributions of Black composers. Adding a contemporary voice to this conversation is the New York premiere of a newly commissioned work by the celebrated Damien Sneed, “Reflections of Resilience: Five Spirituals,” featuring the luminous Grammy-winning mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges. Sneed’s work, a “musical tapestry highlighting the tradition of the African American spiritual,” promises to be a deeply moving centerpiece.

But the festival’s offerings extend far beyond the grand orchestral finale. Grammy-nominated violinist Curtis Stewart, a visionary artist known for his “omnivory and brilliance” (The New York Times), will grace Merkin Hall on April 25th. As a 2024-25 Artist-in-Residence, Stewart will present his compelling re-composition of Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons,” titled “Seasons of Change.” This Afrofuturist meditation on climate change, memory, and resilience interweaves Vivaldi’s timeless melodies with Stewart’s innovative digital soundscapes and poignant recordings of the unhoused in Phoenix, offering a powerful and timely artistic statement. He will also offer a tantalizing glimpse into his new project, “American Caprices,” a world premiere exploration of the diverse musical traditions shaping the American soundscape.

Pianist Rochelle Sennet, a dedicated scholar and performer, will bring her insightful artistry to the Harlem School of the Arts on April 26th. Her acclaimed “Bach to Black” series, which thoughtfully juxtaposes the keyboard suites of J.S. Bach with those of significant Black composers, speaks volumes about her commitment to broadening the classical canon. Her recital promises to be a captivating journey through these interwoven musical worlds.

The Gateways Brass Collective, the nation’s only all-Black professional brass quintet, will also be featured, offering masterclasses, sectionals, and a performance for the young brass players at the Harlem School of the Arts on April 24th. This initiative underscores Gateways’ commitment to nurturing the next generation of musicians.

Line Up

Gateways Spring Festival 2025

April 21–24: Rochester, NY

Mon, April 21 at 7:30pm

Eastman School of Music

Hatch Recital Hall

Recital: Rochelle Sennet, piano

Rep TBA

(Presented in collaboration with George Walker Center for Equity and Inclusion)

Admission: $10-$15

Tues, April 22 at 7:30pm

Eastman School of Music

Hatch Recital Hall

Recital: Curtis Stewart, violin

VIVALDI / Curtis STEWART: Seasons of Change

Admission: $20

Wed, April 23 at 12:15pm

Hochstein Performance Hall

Gateways Brass Collective: “Live at Hochstein”

Admission: Free with RSVP

Wed, April 23 at 6:00pm

Eastman School of Music

Hatch Recital Hall

Paul J. Burgett Lecture and Community Conversation: 

Celebrating William Levi Dawson’s legacy with word, song, and conversation

Lecture: Dr. Louise Toppin (University of Michigan)

Vocal performance: Amber Rogers, soprano

Panel discussion

(Presented in collaboration with William Levi Dawson Institute for Classical and Folk Music at Tuskegee University)

Admission: Free with RSVP

Thurs, April 24 at 7:30pm

Eastman School of Music

Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre

Gateways Festival Orchestra / Anthony Parnther

DVOŘÁK: Symphony No. 8

Damien SNEED: Reflections of Resilience: Five Spirituals (world premiere of Gateways commission)

(with J’Nai Bridges, mezzo-soprano)

DAWSON: Negro Folk Symphony

Admission: $20-$30

April 24–27: New York, NY

Thurs, April 24 at 4:00pm–6:00pm

Harlem School of the Arts

Gateways Brass Collective

Masterclasses, mentorship, and performance for students

Private Event

Fri, April 25 at 7:30pm

Merkin Hall

Curtis Stewart, violin (2024-25 Kaufman Music Center Artist-in-Residence)

VIVALDI / Curtis STEWART: Seasons of Change

Curtis STEWART: Selections from American Caprices (world premiere)

(Presented with Kaufman Music Center)

Admission: $30

Sat, April 26 from 10:00am–2:00pm

Carnegie Hall

Resnick Education Wing

William Levi Dawson Symposium: A Paul J. Burgett Lecture and Community Conversation

Celebrating William Levi Dawson’s legacy with word, song, and conversation.

Lectures: Drs. Louise Toppin (University of Michigan), Wayne Barr (Tuskegee University), & Yi Cheng (Tuskegee University)

Vocal recital: Amber Rogers, soprano

Panel discussion

(Presented in collaboration with William Levi Dawson Institute for Classical and Folk Music at Tuskegee University)

Admission: Free with RSVP

Saturday, April 26 from 3:00pm–5:00pm

Carnegie Hall

Weill Music Institute

Spring 2025 Young Musicians Institute: Masterclasses

Members of Gateways Festival Orchestra

Admission: By Invitation Only

Sat, April 26 at 7:30pm

Harlem School of the Arts

Recital: Rochelle Sennet, piano

Rep TBA

Admission: $10-$20

Sun, April 27 at 2:00pm

Carnegie Hall

Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage

Gateways Festival Orchestra / Anthony Parnther

DVOŘÁK: Symphony No. 8

Damien SNEED: Reflections of Resilience: Five Spirituals (New York premiere of Gateways commission)

(with J’Nai Bridges, mezzo-soprano)

DAWSON: Negro Folk Symphony

Admission: $23–$84

Gateways Music Festival President & Artistic Director, Alex Laing, eloquently captures the essence of the festival: “Gateways isn’t just a festival—it’s a home. A place where Black classical musicians bring their full selves to the stage, and where audiences can come together to listen, connect, and celebrate.” This sentiment resonates deeply throughout the festival’s diverse programming.

Further enriching the experience are educational initiatives like the Spring 2025 Young Musicians Institute, hosted by Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute, and the William Levi Dawson Symposium at Carnegie Hall on April 26th. This symposium, presented in collaboration with the William Levi Dawson Institute for Classical and Folk Music at Tuskegee University, will celebrate the enduring legacy of this pivotal composer, arranger, musicologist, and choral director through lectures and a recital.

Fresh off a momentous 30th anniversary season that saw debuts in Chicago and Washington, D.C.’s Kennedy Center, and buoyed by a significant Mellon Foundation award, the Gateways Music Festival continues to make an indelible mark on the classical music landscape. By providing a vital platform for Black classical artists, fostering a sense of community, and presenting performances that bridge racial and generational divides, Gateways is actively shaping the future narrative of classical music.

This April, New York City has the distinct privilege of witnessing this transformative power firsthand. Whether you are a seasoned concertgoer or a curious newcomer, the Gateways Spring Festival promises an experience that will challenge, inspire, and uplift. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this vital cultural moment. And for those unable to attend in person, the Carnegie Hall finale concert will be streamed live via WQXR’s “Live from Carnegie Hall” series, ensuring that the brilliance of Gateways reaches audiences worldwide.