$800,000 awarded to Gateways Music Festival by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
Florence Lockheart
Thursday, October 21, 2021
The award will be used to continue the growth of the organisation and support its Carnegie Hall debut.
Gateways Music Festival has today announced, in association with the Eastman School of Music, the receipt of an $800,000 award from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The organization, which works to connect and support professional classical musicians of African descent, plans to use the award not only to assist its ongoing growth, but to support its historic Carnegie Hall debut.
Gateways’ board chair Kearstin Piper Brown expressed the organisation’s gratitude: ‘This award is a powerful confirmation of The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation’s belief in Gateways’ unique mission, and it acknowledges our importance in today’s classical music ecosystem. The lack of Black classical musicians on American concert stages is concerning for all of us, and Gateways is proud to provide a supportive and affirming artistic home for our musicians, enabling them to continue to thrive in their careers.’
On April 24, 2022 the Gateways Orchestra will become the first all-Black classical symphony orchestra to be presented by Carnegie Hall in the venue’s 130-year history. This debut is dedicated to the late Michael Morgan, the festivals’ long-time music director and conductor. Gateways’ president & artistic director Lee Koonce explains that ‘Michael Morgan’s influence on the Gateways organization and the musicians is profound. We are a stronger and better organization because of his efforts and are committed to bringing our special brand of classical music-making to New York City just as he envisioned.’
Susan Feder, program officer for arts & culture with The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, added: ‘We are delighted not only to have renewed but also increased support to the Gateways Music Festival in order to help ensure the success of its April 2022 tour to New York City, where Gateways will perform at events across the city, culminating in its Carnegie Hall debut. We hope that this increased exposure will draw deserved attention to this remarkable organization and its talented artists, as well as honoring the memory of Michael Morgan, whose unparalleled dedication to Gateways brought it to this transformational moment.’
More information about the 2022 Gateways Music Festival season is available on their website.