You can hear that the audience, again, willing to go there and applaud each of the musicians as they stand. The Gateways Music Festival is getting ready for its Carnegie Hall debut. . My good friend Titus Underwood likes to often post the question to American orchestras, "Are we American orchestras or are we European approximations?" It's a world premiere. John: It was wonderful to see you turn and conduct the audience in that final piece as well. (University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster) This program has an almost built-in encore, which is a work by James V. Cockerham Fantasia on, Conductor Anthony Parnther goes on stage, to conduct the final work on this program, the Fantasia on. It's complex because each section has so many different contrasting qualities. Here are your tickets. I can play gospel. The concerts are free to attend. I agree with you when I saw the program that had been given to me. It was a historic concert when the Gateways Music Festival Orchestra performed in Carnegie Hall. John: As Jon Batiste's piece just showed. This is Carnegie Hall Live. Bless the Michael Morgan. You'll find lots of stuff on the wqxr.org website that Kelly was involved with during her time with the APL. Three-movement work played by the Gateways Music Festival Orchestra in their Carnegie Hall debut from Carnegie Hall Live. George Walker composed it in 2003. The conclusion of seven days of performances in New York City. What was the idea there? Jeff: Pleasure to talk to you. When Gateways musicians walk out on stage, a new line of inquiry a new conversation is opened with the audience before we even play a note because the backdrop of classical music is that this is a white art form. As you noticed, the audience responded in-hand to what they saw visual and it was just another extra element of all of these people on stage celebrating our heritage. I think we rose to the occasion. There's a significant difference between conducting full-time orchestras and in this orchestra of special musicians from all over the country who do not play together regularly, once every year, once every couple of years. George Walker was the first Black composer to win a Pulitzer prize in music that was in 1996 for his piece, . Anthony: I mean, it certainly felt like a religious experience on stage with him without a doubt. 230 were here. George Walker composed it in 2003. If you're a fan of Barber's Adagio for strings, I urge you to check out George Walker's Lyric for strings. 2023 New York Public Radio Special guest Denyce Graves, mezzo-soprano The mission of Gateways Music Festival is to connect and support professional classical musicians of African descent and enlighten and inspire communities through the power of performance. Exhausting, but exciting. This April, the Gateways Music Festival Orchestra, comprised entirely of classical musicians of African descent, presents events around NYC, culminating with its eagerly anticipated Carnegie Hall debut on April 24. The Gateways Music Festival Orchestra is a 125+ member ensemble of musicians of African descent under the leadership of conductor Anthony Parnther. It can also serve as a beard or it can veil other, I think, less inclusive narratives. Jeff: We'll hear the third of her symphonies this afternoon, which was commissioned by the Works Progress Administration's Federal Music Project. Thank you so much. CARNEGIE HALL PRESENTS National Youth Orchestra of the United States of . with high distinction from the Eastman School of Music and M.M. A great big deep bow and a warm welcome to this Carnegie Hall audience. Alex: This music we call classical likes to drape itself in narratives of universality and likes to position itself as being aracial and reflecting some universal culture. Jeff: Now, we spoke with Lee Koonce, who is the president and artistic director of the Gateways Music Festival, whom we had a chance just to say what Jon Batiste's piece that he had heard, and what we could expect. Now we're so pleased to welcome to the Carnegie Hall microphones, Maestro Anthony Parnther. Founded in 1993, the Gateways Music Festival Orchestra celebrates the contributions of classical musicians of African descent, bringing young professionals from across the country together with established musicians from leading orchestras to perform and inspire communities through the power of music. The concert also included works by the German composer Johannes Brahms (18331897); George Walker 56E (DMA) (19222018), the first composer of African descent to win a Pulitzer Prize (Lilacs for Voice and Orchestra, 1996); Florence Price (18871953), the first African American female composer to have her work performed by a major orchestra (1933 Chicago Symphony performance of Symphony No. Tags: diversity, Eastman School of Music, Gateways Music Festival, performing arts, The Gateways Music Festival Orchestra made its Carnegie Hall debut on Sunday afternoon, April 24, with conductor Anthony Parnther (far right) and Grammy Award-winning pianist Jon Batiste (in gold). Jeff: The Gateways Music Festival Orchestra from Carnegie Hall Live. The two pieces are musical cousins and were actually intended to be so. Because of limited seating capacity in the Hatch Hall, we urge you to get your tickets as soon as possible. Her goal was "to open the gates to classical music for musicians and audiences alike so that as many people as possible could play, see and hear the music". It's our national anthem. Free, but tickets are required.. Alcohol served. Bach to the Future will perform with the Gateway Festival Orchestra 7:30 PM, Sunday July 10, Washington University Brookings Quadrangle. by James V. Cockerham in this initial performance of the Gateways Music Festival Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, a performance you'll hear from Carnegie Hall Live. All rights reserved. This April, the Gateways Music Festival Orchestra, comprised entirely of classical musicians of African descent, presents events around NYC, culminating with its eagerly anticipated Carnegie Hall debut on April 24. We exist outside of space, time or this place." GATEWAYS MUSIC FESTIVAL, INC.26 Gibbs Street, Box 58Rochester, NY 14604, info@gatewaysmusicfestival.org(585) 274-1170, Watch "Inspiring Through the Power of Performance". Does that resonate with you? We don't actually have a complete score for the second. Jeff: That feels like the two-fold idea of Gateways too. You'll find lots of stuff on the wqxr.org website that Kelly was involved with during her time with the APL. Featuring Johannes Brahmss Variations on a Theme by Haydn in B-flat Major, Op. John: Our thanks to Clive Gillinson and the staff at Carnegie Hall, the WQXR recording crew, Edward Haber, George Wellington, Irene Trudel, Duke Marcos, and our production team. There is an improvisatory element to it. I believe she's 84-85 years old. It's an ensemble made up entirely of classical musicians of African descent, from orchestras around the country. The Cleveland Orchestra. As long as we stick to that principle, I think that's the vision. Gateways Music Festival is grateful to the following institutions, foundations and governmental agencies for their generous support of the 2022 Gateways Music Festival. Three-movement work played by the Gateways Music Festival Orchestra in their Carnegie Hall debut from Carnegie Hall Live. . The film screening and lecture are both free and open to the public, but tickets are required. John: This program has an almost built-in encore, which is a work by James V. Cockerham Fantasia on Lift Every Voice and Sing. We're delighted to welcome to the Carnegie Hall microphones, Alex Laing, who is the principal clarinet of the Gateways Music Festival Orchestra, and also with the Phoenix Symphony, and is an educator and a speaker around the country. Experience the rich sounds of the @gateways_music orchestra on Wednesday, April 20 at @EastmanTheatre for free. Founded in 1993, the Gateways Music Festival Orchestra celebrates the contributions of classical musicians of African descent, bringing together professionals from leading orchestras across the country to perform and inspire communities through the power of music. The Gateways Music Festival Orchestra, making their debut today, taking their place alongside the Clef Club Orchestra and a lot of other great African American musicians in the illustrious history of Carnegie Hall. John Schaefer's here as well. The orchestra just rehearsed his new piece for the first time on Thursday, it's called I can. Development of the Orchestra, Music Appreciation, Bio-Musicology and Music Theory. Music Director The Gateway Festival Orchestra of St. Louis Home Music Director Darwin Aquino, Music Director Darwin Aquino joined the Gateway Festival Orchestra as Music Director in 2019. The 120-member Gateways Music Festival Orchestra, whose distinguished players hail from the nations foremost orchestras and conservatory faculties, is renowned for its bold sound, exciting interpretations and uncompromising pursuit of artistic excellence. She's never taken medication. Announced by Gateways Music Festival in association with the Eastman School of Music, the news is very welcome to the 28-year-old organization, which works to connect and support . Alex Laing, the principal clarinet of the Gateways Music Festival Orchestra, also serves on their board of directors. 3 of Florence Price, performed by the Gateways Music Festival Orchestra conducted by Anthony Parnther in the orchestra's Carnegie Hall debut and he first time that work has ever been performed at Carnegie Hall, written in the 1930s with help from the federal government, the WPA program at that time, Florence Price created this Symphony No. "Oh, well this is classical music. Bless the Michael Morgan. Anthony: I just feel that as musicians, our first responsibility is to come together and create beauty. That's available to everyone. All Rights Reserved. There are parts that are written out, and then, there are parts that he will improvise. Jeff: -for Soul, the Pixar film, and has also just won five Grammys, including Record of the Year at the most recent Grammy Awards just a few weeks ago. That's a narrative that can be true, but it doesn't just happen. To come to a place where there are folks who've had a shared life experience, it's extraordinary for them. John: Well, Jon Batiste had a little church meeting going when he was reading his poem before the premiere of "I can.". Anthony Parnther, conductorAntoine T. Clark, assistant conductor, VIOLIN I Kelly Hall-Tompkins, concertmaster Cleveland A. Chandler Daniel Constant Caitlin Edwards Mellasenah Edwards Brendon Elliott Alex Gonzalez Mariana Green-Hill Marianne Henry Ashley Horne Amyr Joyner Kyle Lombard Jessica R. McJunkins Chelsea Sharpe Lionel Thomas Anyango Yarbo-Davenport, VIOLIN II Derek Reeves, principal Lucinda Ali-Landing Charlene Bishop Jeffrey Boga Dale Breidenthal David Burnett Nicole Cherry Frdrique Gnaman Bennie Harris Joshua Henderson Sarah E. Martin Phillip Payton Meredith Riley Booker Rowe, VIOLAJennifer Arnold, principalLeslie DeShazorAndrew FrancoisAshleigh GordonLinda GreenChristopher JenkinsCaroline JonesJaven LaraDeidra LawrenceAundrey MitchellYvonne SmithGeorge Taylor, CELLO Troy Stuart, principal Ifetayo Ali-Landing Cremaine Booker Eric Cooper Gordon Grubbs Joseph Hbert Timothy Holley Thapelo Masita Prudence McDaniel Derek Menchan James Ryan Murphy Wayne Smith, DOUBLE BASS Rick Robinson, principal William Johnson Kevin Mauldin Anthony Morris Jacqueline Pickett Patricia Silva Weitzel, FLUTE Judith Dines, principal Dennis Carter Jacqueline Cordova-Arrington Patricia Reeves, OBOE Titus Underwood, principal Hassan Anderson Sarrah Bushara Geoffrey Johnson, CLARINET Alexander Laing, principal Pamela Coats Robert Davis LeTriel White, BASSOONJoshua Elmore, principalAlexander DavisKai RockeMaya Stone, FRENCH HORN Larry Williams, principal David Dickerson Adedeji Ogunfolu Priscilla Rheinhart Jeffrey Scott, TRUMPET Herbert Smith, principal Javian Brabham Leonard Foy Courtney Jones, TROMBONE Burt Mason, principal Isrea Butler Timothy Robinson Martin McCain (Bass), PERCUSSION Ralph Barrett, principal Jauvon Gilliam Cleo Goldberg Don Johns Terry McKinney. Alex: The role this hall plays in this music is understood by all. , the name of that piece. Lee: It's this kind of dual mission. The Orchestra made its stunning Carnegie Hall debut on April 24, 2022 as the first all-Black orchestra to be presented by the famed venue. The concert features Jon Batiste, who just won five Grammys at this year's ceremony, including the highly-coveted title, "Album of the Year". This place for musicians is key and essential and critical to the mission because most of our players work in environments where there are very, very, very few people, if any, who look like them. Alex, thank you for stopping by. I think the possibility of spontaneity is what makes this particular live performance so deeply engaging and organic for everybody involved including the audience. I think it's really interesting, Alex, that this idea that-- Representation, of course, is important, but this idea of the narrative of classical music is beyond race, is something universal. Guest engagements include Chicago Sinfonietta, the Chamber Orchestra of New York, the Colour of Music Festival Chamber Orchestra, Richmond Symphony, and the Gateways Music Festival. Founded in 1993, the Gateways Music Festival Orchestra celebrates the contributions of classical musicians of African descent, bringing together professionals from leading orchestras across the country to perform and inspire communities through the power of music. She was part of the inaugural class of the Artist Propulsion Lab at WQXR. This was a real challenge, but a little bit of everything. The panel discussion is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. Congratulations. Not surprisingly, he will be the piano soloist in that piece. I thought you were going to say George Gershwin because what strikes me is the similarity to the, -did not have fully finished at the time of the world premiere, and famously in the written score for the conductor, wrote the words, "Wait for a nod.". Jeff: Congratulations to you, Anthony Parnther, and to the Gateways Music Festival at an amazing week in New York in an amazing combination of this concert. I just thought that it was so beautifully executed. Jon Batiste once at the center stage. I'd love to see this orchestra personally go on tour so that audiences outside of New York State have the privilege of witnessing the power and beauty of such a special ensemble. Mary also enjoys teaching private trumpet lessons with students from ages 10 - 94! That was cemented well before I became involved. This artist has also appeared with: This artist not appeared with any other performers that we know of. 1 in E Minor); and the orchestras signature closing piece, Fantasia on Lift Every Voice and Sing, by African American film and classical music composer James Cockerham. as the work's known the music of Johannes Brahms. This is Carnegie Hall Live, I'm Jeff Spurgeon joined by my colleague, John Schaefer. Then we'll proceed into the piece, I Can. , the Pixar film, and has also just won five Grammys, including Record of the Year at the most recent Grammy Awards just a few weeks ago. Hear both works performed by outstanding members of the acclaimed Gateways Music Festival Orchestra, conducted by longtime Marsalis collaborator Damien Sneed. See locations and times below. is sacred to my community. Jeff: How was putting that piece together because it was put together pretty much in New York, I think? -on stage, certainly, but certainly I think this was the best possible opportunity to have my first outing with this great orchestra on this great occasion. The role this hall plays in this music is understood by all. This is the intermission of this concert, the Gateways Music Festival Orchestra. Gateways Music Festival Orchestra. [crosstalk]. John: There were two halves to the concert, obviously before and after intermission. GATEWAY FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA. 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