Because of the reeling world economy, 2009 was the year we had to step up to the plate and "make it our own". Giant steps had to be taken to pull off this "Yes We Can" festival.

At the last Gateways Music Festival board meeting on September 27th, I resigned as president and artistic director of the festival. The governing structure, a stronger and broader one, will include newly elected president Bill Lewis, a newly created position of arts administrator and an artistic programming committee made up of all Eastman School of Music graduates of African descent. My role as friend will continue. He or she who ceases to be a friend never was one.

The Eastman School of Music graduates have proven over the years that they can easily reach out to musicians from other institutions in their quest to maintain the quality of the festival. I do not foresee a monopoly on opportunities because of the responsibility placed on the Eastman grads.

Gateways musicians have performed in African attire for the past three festivals to the delight of the Rochester African-American community which now requests it. On my first trip to the motherland, I was stunned by the beauty of African attire. I am still stunned. It is awesome.

In saying farewell as president and artistic director of the Gateways Music Festival, I will focus on some cultural facts. Numerous classical music orchestras are to be found in Europe, Central and South America, Spain, China, Japan, Israel, and even Iraq. The list is endless. Their orchestras give voice to their respective ethnic groups and political constituencies. Their composers identify and express the experiences related to their roots.

Freedom is never free. What you do to help yourself provides the most durable foundation for your talents, goals and indeed, survival.

- Armenta Adams Hummings, Founder
Gateways Music Festival