Skip to Main Content

2024 Arts and Culture Series: Gateways Festival Orchestra

Location: Orchestra Hall, 220 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago

BLACK ART & CULTURE PRESENTATION

Gateways Music Fest Orchestra

GATEWAYS FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA
with special guest Take 6, and conductor Anthony Parnther

April 19, 7:30 p.m.
Orchestra Hall, 220 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago

Cost:
$25 per person concert only
$40 per person concert and buffet

Optional Pre-concert Buffet dinner at Kathryn’s Soul at the French Market, 131 N. Clinton St., Chicago (see notes below)

Read a recap from Dr. Richard Guzman


Celebrating professional classical musicians of African descent, Symphony Center Presents features the New York-based Gateways Festival Orchestra in its Chicago debut. Comprised of the finest classical musicians in the country, the all-Black Gateways Festival Orchestra concludes its week-long Chicago residency with a Symphony Center concert featuring Take 6, the award-winning a cappella group Quincy Jones called the “baddest vocal cats on the planet.” Learn more.

A maximum of 4 tickets per household.
Ticket costs are non-refundable but are exchangeable.
Tickets at this discounted price are limited. Final sales are April 15 or while discounted tickets are available.

Learn more about the Arts and Culture Series     Learn More about the NIC anti-racism task force


Katheryns Soul Chicken Crop

Pre-concert Buffet dinner at Kathryn’s Soul (optional)

Kathryn’s Soul at the French Market, 131 North Clinton, Chicago
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Register for the dinner using the orchestra registration.

The dinner includes oven-roasted chicken and salmon, macaroni and cheese, candied yams, cabbage (with or without bacon), cornbread, dessert (homemade German chocolate or lemon cake), and soda or bottled water.

Prepayment is required. No refunds are available, but an exchange can be made with another person if the registrant is unable to attend. 

Learn more about Katheryn's Soul here.


Gateways Festival Orchestra

2022 04 24 Gateways Carnegie 0251rt1

The Gateways Festival Orchestra is an ensemble of the Gateways Music Festival, a New York-based non-profit organization whose mission is to connect and support professional classical musicians of African descent and enlighten and inspire communities through the power of performance. Comprised of 100 musicians of African descent, the members of the Gateways Festival Orchestra come from a variety of professional backgrounds and include players in top symphony orchestras, faculty from renowned music schools and conservatories, and active freelance artists. Members come together to form the Orchestra from locations across the United States, as well as Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, Russia, South Africa, the Dominican Republic, Brazil, Colombia, and various Caribbean islands. Learn more about the Gateways Festival Orchestra here.

Parntheranthony 4photo

Anthony Parnther, conductor

American conductor, Anthony Parnther, has forged a singularly unique career that melds his love for the music of all genres with his prowess as a conductor, bassoonist, opera singer, producer, storyteller, comedian, and activist. Anthony is the Music Director of the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra in San Bernardino, California. He has conducted a long list of the world's greatest artists in virtually every genre, including Joshua Bell, Jessye Norman, Yundi Li, Lynn Harrell, Frederica von Stade, Roderick Williams, The Canadian Brass, Rihanna, Jennifer Holliday, Kanye West, Imagine Dragons, Omar Apollo, Ry X, Zedd, and Alan Walker. Learn more about Anthony Parnther here.

Take 6 Kmen 1920 X 1080

Take 6

Take 6 is comprised of Claude McKnight, Mark Kibble, Joel Kibble, Dave Thomas, Alvin Chea and Khristian Dentley. They continue to bring extraordinary vocals to their worldwide audiences. Take 6 has admirably and adeptly crossed most musical genres, from straight-ahead Jazz to Pop to adult R&B, doo wop to blues. Like a fine-tuned vocal orchestra (Alvin, bass; Khristian, baritone; Claude, Dave, Mark and Joel, tenors), the group continues to push the boundaries of creativity and musical genius with every new release, and with their ever-evolving live performances. Their awards include 10 Grammy Awards, 10 Dove Awards, 2 NAACP Image Awards, a Soul Train Award, and more. Learn more about Take 6 here.

News & Announcements

Reading The Bible

Read the Bible in a Year With Us

The NIC Committee on Discipleship and Spiritual Formation is inviting individuals and congregations to read the entire Bible using a daily guide organized in what is believed to be chronologica…

Immigration Story 2025 Umnews 1200x800px

From the Bishop: Keep Practicing Hope

"I believe hope is a practice of God’s creative freedom at play in human creativity and freedom," says Bishop Dan Schwerin. "God’s word is always breaking in for good. We as the church ma…

Erie Umc Pillow Case Collage

Erie UMC Sews Comfort for Foster Children

Erie UMC volunteers recently sewed 165 cheerful pillowcases for children in foster care, partnering with Raising Hope and My GEAR Outreach. The effort blended creativity, compassion, a…

Flowers Sympathy625x400 2a417 Copy

In Sympathy: Mr. Vi Tran

Mr. Vi Tran, spouse of Rev. Brian Gilbert of the Northern Illinois Conference, passed away on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at the age of 37.

Print