The Gateways Music Festival, in association with the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music, has unveiled a dynamic 2025–2026 season that blends classical masterworks, groundbreaking contemporary music, and tributes to Black artistry across the country. The event will take place in Rochester, NY.
The season launches with the 2025 Fall Festival, headlined by Grammy-winning trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard and his band, The E-Collective. Under the baton of conductor Damon Gupton, Blanchard will present Film Scores Live! — a powerful performance of his acclaimed scores for films including Malcolm X, BlacKkKlansman, and Inside Man.
The programming also includes an intimate solo recital by pianist David Berry, showcasing his artistry and connection to Gateways’ mission. Audiences will also hear a rare performance of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s Nonet in F Minor, led by the Gateways Chamber Players. This “dream team” of classical musicians features bassoonist Monica Ellis of Grammy-winning ensemble Imani Winds, cellist Patrice Jackson of Berklee College of Music, hornist Kevin Newton of Imani Winds, and oboist Titus Underwood, principal of the Nashville Symphony, among others.
In early 2026, Gateways will expand its national presence with a featured collaboration at the joint American String Teachers Association and Suzuki Association of the Americas Conference in San Francisco, February 26–28. The festival will also mark a meaningful return to Winston-Salem, North Carolina — its birthplace — with a Spring Festival dedicated to founder Armenta Hummings Dumisani, honoring her vision and legacy.
The season also brings the Gateways Brass Collective quintet to audiences across the U.S., with performances and masterclasses scheduled in Grand Rapids, Orlando, Winston-Salem, Atlanta, and Fort Wayne. The ensemble, comprised of top Black brass players, continues to advance Gateways’ mission by mentoring young musicians while captivating audiences with its bold sound.
Since its founding, Gateways Music Festival has been a national platform for celebrating Black classical musicians and composers, presenting world-class performances while creating opportunities for community connection and education. The upcoming season reflects both tradition and innovation, carrying forward the festival’s commitment to amplifying Black artistry on concert stages nationwide.
For more information, tickets, and event updates, visit GatewaysMusicFestival.org