Welcome to Gateways LIVE
Press play to experience the artistry, legacy, and joy of our artistry.
about tonight’s program
The Gateways Chamber Players — an all-star ensemble of Black classical brilliance — come together for one night only at Eastman School of Music’s Hatch Recital Hall.
These artists are soloists, orchestra leaders, and visionaries in their own right. Together, they create a sound that is unmistakably Gateways: intimate, soulful, and alive.
The 2025 Chamber Players ensemble features:
Titus Underwood, oboe • Olivia Hamilton, clarinet • Monica Ellis, bassoon • Kevin Newton, horn • Joshua Mhoon, piano • Kyle Lombard, violin • Jordan Bak, viola • Patrice Jackson, cello • Patricia Weitzel, bass
Program highlights include:
Piano Trio in E minor – Samuel Coleridge-Taylor
Trio for Oboe, Clarinet & Bassoon, W182 – Heitor Villa-Lobos
Piano Sonata No. 4 in F-sharp major, Op. 30 – Alexander Scriabin
Mosaicos for Bassoon and Piano – Tania León
Principal Brothers No. 2: For Oboe – James Lee III
Nonet in F minor, Op. 2 – Samuel Coleridge-Taylor
We invite you to sit back and experience chamber music at its best: bold, vibrant, and deeply personal. A celebration of artistry and community, only at Gateways Music Festival.
Founded to counteract the isolation and underestimation faced by many Black classical artists, Gateways Music Festival embodies creativity, resilience, and community.
our story
Since 1993, Gateways Music Festival has been unwavering in its commitment to the ongoing project of equity for Black people, recognizing that this work is far from complete. Gateways challenges and disrupts the historical use of art to perpetuate racial hierarchies by celebrating and amplifying the contributions of Black classical musicians and sustaining this community of artists and its rich tradition. By providing a platform for Black classical artists, Gateways not only showcases their talent but also redefines cultural and aesthetic narratives, using art to foster a more just, inclusive world.
Help Sustain THIS Home for
Black Classical Artistry
Whether one-time, monthly, or quarterly, your support helps Gateways bring live programs like tonight’s to life, care for our artists, and build a legacy that will inspire generations.
DONATE TODAY
MAIL YOUR DONATION: To send a donation via mail, please make check out to “Gateways Music Festival” and send to 26 Gibbs Street, Box 58, Rochester, NY 14604.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: To inquire about your donation, planned gifts, underwriting, sponsorship or gifts-in-kind, please contact LaTanya Afolayan at 585-274-1127 or by email.
Gateways Music Festival is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Your gift is fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Gateways’ Federal Employer / Tax Identification Number (FEIN/TIN) is 16-1562873.
GATEWAYS FALL FESTIVAL OCTOBER 13-16, 2025
UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER’S EASTMAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC, ROCHESTER, NY
The 2025 Gateways Fall Festival brings the soul of Black classical artistry back to Rochester, NY for intimate concerts, bold collaborations, and joyful connection, October 13-16, 2025.
Experience Terence Blanchard’s unforgettable film scores, performed live with the Gateways Festival Orchestra. Feel the power of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s Nonet in the hands of all-star chamber players. Be moved by pianist David Berry’s solo recital tracing the legacy of spirituals. And cheer on the next generation at our Rochester Day For Strings.
Gateways is more than music—it’s a homecoming. A celebration of artistry, community, and presence.
⚡ As our thanks for watching tonight, get 50% OFF Terence Blanchard with the Gateways Festival Orchestra on Thursday, October 16 at 7:30pm with code FALLFEST50, while supplies last.
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