This story originally appeared in Fanfare Fall 2024.
The Gateways Music Festival launched a series of Chicago-area performances at Northwestern in April as part of the renowned festival’s 30th anniversary celebration.
Actress Phylicia Rashad and violinist Tai Murray joined the Gateways Chamber Players at Pick-Stagier Concert Hall in performances of Igor Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale Suite and Wynton Marsalis’s A Fiddler’s Tale. Later that week, pianist and composer Stewart Goodyear presented a recital in Galvin Recital Hall.
“Gateways’ focus on classical musicians of African descent makes it a unique and important institution,” said Bienen School dean Jonathan Bailey Holland. “It is a special privilege for Northwestern and greater Chicago audiences to experience this ensemble in our own communities. I am very grateful to former Bienen School dean Toni-Marie Montgomery and former Gateways executive director Lee Koonce for their foresight in the planning of these activities.”
Alumnus Alexander Laing ’96, Gateways’ current president and artistic director, echoed Holland’s gratitude: “This is an important year, and we’re thrilled to bring the Gateways Music Festival to Chicago and partner with Northwestern.”
The festival concluded its residency at Chicago’s Symphony Center with a program highlighting works by African American composers, including Chicago native and Bienen School alumna Margaret Bonds ’33, ’34 MMus.
