2023 FALL FESTIVAL SPONSORSHIPS

ABOUT GATEWAYS MUSIC FESTIVAL

Founded in Winston-Salem, North Carolina in 1993 by African-American and Juilliard-trained concert pianist Armenta Hummings Dumisani, the Gateways Music Festival was brought to Rochester, New York in 1997 when Hummings Dumisani joined the Eastman School of Music faculty. In 2016, while remaining an independent non-profit organization, Gateways formalized its long-time relationship with Eastman and the University of Rochester. This deeper relationship provided many of the resources and infrastructure necessary for the organization to increase its programming capacity, appoint its first paid staff member, and broaden its impact in and beyond Rochester.

During the April 2022 Festival, the Gateways Orchestra became the first all-Black classical symphony orchestra to be presented by Carnegie Hall in that venue's 130-year history. Approximately 125 Black classical musicians, including players in major symphony orchestras, faculty members from renowned music schools and conservatories, and active freelance artists, participated in the Festival. In-person attendance totaled nearly 7,500, and more than 100,000 people listened to the live Gateways Orchestra broadcast on WQXR, New York City's classical music station.

In addition to the annual full-orchestra festival held in the spring, other Gateways initiatives include a yearly chamber music festival in the fall, the Daily Showcase (a social media campaign featuring a Black classical composer every day on Facebook and Instagram), the Gateways Brass Collective (the only all-Black professional brass quintet in the country), the Gateways Artists program (which presents renowned Gateways artists in multi-day residencies that include recitals, master classes, and community-based activities throughout the year and across the country), and, starting in January 2023, Gateways Radio (a one-hour syndicated radio program featuring Black classical artists on radio stations across the United States).

Gateways President & Artistic Director since 2015 and chair of the Artistic Programs Committee since 2009.  Under Lee’s leadership, Gateways has significantly expanded its scope and frequency of activities, encompassing concerts and residencies in and beyond Rochester. Notable milestones include the Gateways Festival Orchestra's triumphant sold-out debut at Carnegie Hall in April 2022, the Gateways Chamber Players’ Kennedy Center debut in February 2024, the introduction of the Gateways Festival Orchestra to Chicago in April 2024, and the Orchestra’s eagerly anticipated return to Carnegie Hall in April 2025.  Lee has also been instrumental in expanding the board of directors, significantly improving fundraising results and expanding the professional staff.

We are also thrilled to introduce you to Alexander Laing, currently our Executive Director. In this role, Alex works alongside Lee before succeeding him as President & Artistic Director in January 2024. An internationally recognized performer and thought leader, Alex was principal clarinet of the Phoenix Symphony from 2002 through 2023. He has been a member of the Gateways Festival Orchestra since 2001 and served on the Gateways’ board of directors from 2018 until his appointment as Executive Director in July 2023.