February 19-23, 2014 marked the 17th Annual Sphinx Competition and Sphinx’s 2nd annual convening on diversity in the arts, SphinxCon. These two events combined incredible performances and dynamic talks to leave participants inspired by the power of diversity in the arts. Sponsored by the DTE Energy Foundation, the 17th Annual Sphinx Competition featured 20 talented young musicians of color. All participants competed in front of a world-renowned jury panel and received invaluable professional development and educational opportunities. SphinxCon, with support from the Ford Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, MASCO Corporation Foundation, DPTV, Marriott and Google, brought together leaders from across the United States to share solutions to challenges regarding diversity in the performing arts. The timing of these two programs allowed for valuable synergistic components: select members of the all Black and Latino Sphinx Symphony Orchestra also participated as speakers at SphinxCon; all Competition participants had the opportunity to attend portions of SphinxCon; and many SphinxCon participants also attended the Competition Finals Concert.The first event of the week was the Sphinx Competition Honors Concert for the junior division semi-finalists, where each of the three semi-finalists performed individually with the Sphinx Symphony. 14-year-old cellist Sterling Elliott was named first place Laureate, earning a $10,000 artist grant and the opportunity to perform with Sphinx Soloists program partners across the world. Violist Mira Williams received the $5,000 second place artist grant, and violinist Hannah White received the $3,000 third place artist grant.After the Honors Concert, the focus shifted to SphinxCon’s opening address by Aaron Dworkin, who presented “Sphinx America’s Top 20,” a response to the lack of demographic variety in Musical America’s “Movers and Shakers: 30 Key Influencers in the Performing Arts.” Later, Rip Rapson, President and CEO of The Kresge Foundation, participated in an interview conducted

by Maria Jackson, Senior Advisor to the Arts and Culture program for The Kresge Foundation. The two discussed creative placemaking and the value of the arts in communities. In a special session, Sphinx’s Executive and Artistic Director Afa Dworkin led an engaging conversation with this year’s recipient of the Arthur L. Johnson Memorial Series Award, oud and violin virtuoso Simon Shaheen. Shaheen gave a thought-provoking interview, as well as stunning performances on both of his instruments. SphinxCon came to an end with the last featured speaker, Nigel Lythgoe, Co-Creator, Executive Producer and Judge for So You Think You Can Dance.Upon the conclusion of SphinxCon, many speakers and attendees made their way to Orchestra Hall for the Sphinx Competition Finals Concert. Preceding the concert was the Legacy Luncheon sponsored by PNC Bank, which paid tribute to the legacy of Black and Latino musical achievement. The Finals Concert offered stunning performances by the senior division finalists with the Sphinx Symphony. After the performances, representatives from the GM Foundation, the Knight Foundation and Mercedes-Benz Financial Services presented the senior division awards. Double-bassist Xavier Foley was named first place Laureate and also received the Audience Choice Award. Foley, a 19-year-old student at the Curtis Institute, made history by becoming the first bassist to win the Sphinx Competition. He received a $50,000 artist grant, a prize from Tempo Cases and the opportunity to be featured with Sphinx Soloists Program partners. Violinist Clayton Penrose-Whitmore received the second place $20,000 artist grant, and cellist Nicholas Mariscal received the third place $10,000 artist grant. The concert ended with an exquisite performance of Simon Shaheen’s Oud Concerto, leaving the audiences inspired by the diverse array of musical offerings and unwavering artistic integrity.The Sphinx Competition and SphinxCon brought together in Detroit a contingent of artists and arts leaders and enthusiasts from Michigan and beyond. These two events provided a wonderful platform to increase awareness and support of Sphinx’s mission of transforming lives through the power of diversity in the arts.

From Top: Erica Lall performs with cellist Christine Lamprea; Xavier Foley’s winning performance; Sterling Elliott celebrates his win; Maria Jackson interviews Rip Rapson; Simon Shaheen performs with the Sphinx Symphony; Featured SphinxCon speaker Nigel Lythgoe speaks at SphinxCon; Featured SphinxCon speaker Adrian Anantawan performs; Sterling Elliott performs with the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Brandon Keith Brown. Photos: Glenn Triest (Sphinx Competition) and Brian Surguine (SphinxCon)

A Week in Detroit: Two SignatureSphinx Programs in the Spotlight

Vol. 15, No. 2

The Quarter NoteSpring 2014

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Aaron P. Dworkin Founder

PRESIDENT’S NOTE

Dear Friends, I hope that this note finds you in good spirits and enjoying the lovely spring season! The beginning of this year has been busy and full of excitement for Sphinx and our artists, and I am thrilled to share with you some wonderful updates regarding recent events and an important new program.

This January, we introduced a new competitive initiative as part of the Sphinx Music Assistance Fund. The MPower Artist Grants are designed to empower alumni of select Sphinx programs to achieve their career objectives in music. These artist grants will be awarded based on competitive submissions and will range in amount according to the need of each applicant. We could not be more

excited to be able to offer more compelling opportunities for our incredibly talented alumni and look forward to further transforming their lives through the power of diversity in the arts!

With great anticipation, we look forward to another season of our Sphinx Performance Academy at Oberlin Conservatory as well as Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music. We were especially elated to see an alumnus of SPA, Sterling Elliott, win the junior division of this year’s Sphinx Competition, demonstrating the incredibly high level of achievement at SPA and a powerful pipeline between our programs.

These programs and all of our initiatives would be impossible without support from individuals like you. Thank you, as always, for your passion for our mission!

Take care,

-Aaron

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“Our fundamental proposition [in The Kresge Foundation] is that arts and culture needs to be at the core of every conversation we have about community development in our country. [When] that happens...the conversations are richer and more balanced, they have much more to do with the creative potential of inviting people to examine not only their potential for human development but also the potential that arts and culture has to drive economic development, to drive sensitive placemaking, to drive the kind of long term visioning that a community needs in order to remain vital and healthy.”

Aaron P. Dworkin Founder

- Rip Rapson, President and CEO of The Kresge Foundation, from his talk at SphinxCon

Aaron P. Dworkin Founder

Editor: Therese GoussyContributors: Andre Dowell, Aaron Dworkin, Stephanee Strasburg, Xavier VernaDesign & Layout: Julie Renfro

Honorary CommitteeBranford Marsalis, ChairGlenn DicterowNikki GiovanniIda KavafianAni KavafianNigel KennedyJaime LaredoTania LeonYo-Yo E. MaMark O’ConnorChristopher O’RileyItzhak PerlmanToby PerlmanAndré PrevinAwadagin PrattBright ShengLeonard SlatkinNadja Salerno-SonnenbergArnold SteinhardtMichael Tilson ThomasGeorge WalkerJeffrey Zeigler

Board of DirectorsAnne L. Taylor, ChairWilliam H. Carson, Vice ChairAnthony Glover, TreasurerCarl Herstein, SecretaryRachel Barton PineDiana Bianchi MoisonMartha DarlingAaron P. DworkinKenneth FischerMaxine FrankelPatricia GarciaSandra GibsonLinda GillumNorman HerbertHoward HertzAndrea HoffmanDeidre Lambert-BoundsJoan IsraeliteMarianne LockwoodMajorie PearsallVivian PickardSally Stegeman DiCarloKathy WeaverBeverly WillisShaun Wilson

© 2014 Sphinx Organization400 Renaissance Center Ste 2550Detroit MI 48243 313-877-9100info@SphinxMusic.orgwww.SphinxMusic.org

Sphinx CompetitionPresenter

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

Special Artistic AdvisorYo-Yo Ma

Stella & Frederick LoebCharitable Trust

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Sphinx Symphony OrchestraMakes First West Coast Appearance at

Napa Valley Festival del SoleThis summer, the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra debuts on the West Coast as the orchestra-in-residence at Napa Valley Festival del Sole 2014. One of America’s premier music and lifestyle festivals, the 10-day summer celebration blends world-class music, theater and dance with the region’s fine wine and cuisine. The festival also features free community concerts, a wellness series promoting healthy living, and arts education initiatives. Both the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra and the Sphinx Virtuosi will perform July 11 – 20, 2014, alongside renowned artists and emerging talent at stunning venues throughout the famed wine region. Friday, July 11 – Joshua Bell and Sphinx Virtuosi open the festival with Vivaldi’s Four Seasons in the piazza of the Tuscan-inspired Castello di Amorosa.Saturday, July 12 & Tuesday, July 16 – Sphinx Symphony Orchestra accompanies Pinchas Zukerman in his festival debut with a performance of the popular Bruch Violin Concerto.Monday, July 14 – Sphinx Symphony Orchestra and gifted young soloists perform at the picturesque Opus One under the baton of conductor Dmitry Sitkovetsky.Tuesday, July 15 – 2014 Sphinx Senior Division winner, Xavier Foley, will give a solo recital program at Jarvis Conservatory as part of the Bouchaine Young Artist Concert seriesThursday, July 17 – The Sphinx Virtuosi, one of the nation’s most dynamic ensembles, will perform at Jarvis Conservatory as part of the Bouchaine Young Artist Concert seriesThursday, July 17 – Michael Barrett conducts Sphinx Symphony Orchestra in the great Leonard Bernstein’s one-act opera, Trouble in Tahiti.Sunday, July 20 – Maestro Carlo Ponti conducts Sphinx Symphony Orchestra and leading opera stars soprano Maria Agresta and tenor Matthew Polenzani in performing duets and arias from beloved Italian operas. The Napa Valley residency is part of a newly established partnership between Sphinx and IMG Artists, a global leader in performing arts and lifestyle events management, which will also offer Sphinx artists the opportunity to perform at festivals and other IMG-ran events as well as collaborating with IMG artists. For the full festival schedule visit www.festivaldelsole.org. To inquire about Sphinx Organization preferred rates on tickets, passes and accommodations, please contact Tessa Edwards, Festival del Sole patron services director, at 888.337.6272 or tessa@festivaldelsole.org.

SPHINX NEWS

Sphinx Virtuosito Embark on 7th National Tour

Don’t miss this opportunity to book the Sphinx Virtuosi, one of the nation’s most dynamic professional classical ensembles! The 2014 fall tour will highlight performances in the Pacific Northwest, Texas, Kansas, Illinois, Vermont, Massachusetts, and New York.

The 2014 Sphinx Virtuosi tour, titled “Americana,” will feature works by composers such as Duke Ellington, Aaron Copland, John Corigliano and Phillip Glass. One of the highlights of the program is a celebration of the centennial of the Star Spangled Banner through a new commission by Sphinx Virtuosi Composer-In-Residence, Jessie Montgomery.

For more information and bookings, visit: www.SphinxVirtuosi.org.

The Joyce Foundation has named the Sphinx Organization and Composer Jessie Montgomery a recipient of the 2014 Joyce Awards. The $50,000 grant will support the creation, production and performance of “Banner!” a new work for string quartet and orchestra that celebrates and reimagines the national anthem on its 200th anniversary. “Banner!” will premiere in October 2014 and premiere nationally through the Sphinx Virtuosi Tour, which reaches more than 10,000 people each year.

The Joyce Foundation Award

Sphinx Medals of ExcellencePresented at Kennedy Center

On March 19th, 2014, Sphinx was thrilled to present the 3rd annual Sphinx Medals of Excellence celebration, which honors extraordinary Black and Latino leaders in music who, early in their career, demonstrate artistic excellence, outstanding work ethic, a spirit of determination, and leadership. The 2014 honorees were Mezzo-Soprano Carla Dirlikov, Pianist Damien Sneed and Percussionist Pedrito Martinez.

Each recipient was presented with the Sphinx Medal of Excellence and a $50,000 career grant at a luncheon hosted by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Aspen Institute. They were then honored at a black-tie dinner in Washington, D.C., where Supreme Court Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg were among the attendees.Also in attendance to celebrate the evening were CEOs, board members and leadership of key institutions, including the Kennedy Center, Aspen Institute, The Independent Sector, Carnegie Hall, League of American Orchestras, Chamber Music America, Chorus America, Americans for the Arts, IMG Artists, Gala Hispanic Theater, Washington Performing Arts Society, Atlanta Symphony, Michigan Opera Theatre, Boston University, University Musical Society, Rockefeller University and others.The 2014 Sphinx Medals of Excellence was generously underwritten by Kaiser Permanente; William H. Carson, M.D.; James and Ann Nicholson; and Victoria Hull Sharp.

Sphinx Performance Academy alumnus Giovanni Venezia had the privilege to perform Shostakovich’s 5th Symphony in the National Honor Orchestra, surrounded by some fantastic young fellow musicians, graciously sponsored by ASTA (The American String Teacher’s Association).

Sphinx Performance Academy alumnus Josh Kambell is touring this summer to support the fine arts and encourage people to get involved in the arts. The proceeds from the tour will go towards new equipment for schools, Make-A- Wish Foundation and another program soon to be selected.

Sphinx welcomes its newest board members, Shaun Wilson, Dr. William H. Carson, and Joan Israelite. For biographies on these new members, please visit www.SphinxMusic.org.

Welcome to our newest Sphinx Team member, Manager of Communications Therese Goussy!

L to R: Damien Sneed, Pedrito Martinez, Carla Dirlikov, JusticeSonia Sotomayor, Aaron Dworkin. Photo: Kevin Kennedy.

Photo: Kevin Kennedy.

19-year-old double-bassist Xavier Foley, the 2014 Sphinx Competition senior division first-place Laureate, took the time to answer some questions from The Quarter Note about his musical background, his experiences in the Competition and what he’s working on now!

Quarter Note: What kind of music have you been listening to lately?

Xavier Foley: I have been listening to classical violin, viola, and cello repertoire, with an aim to find pieces that can be transcribed

400 Renaissance CenterSuite 2550Detroit MI 48243

Somethingto Ponder:

“Music may achieve the highest of all missions: she may be a bond between nations, races, and states, who are strangers in many ways; she may unite what is disunited and bring peace to what is hostile.”

- Dr. Max Bendiner

for the double bass. The two specific composers that I have been listening to are Beethoven and Mozart. Neither one of these two composers has written music specifically for the double bass; however, it is still possible for a double bass player to perform works originally for other instruments.

QN: What has been the most memorable performance of your career thus far?

XF: So far, the most memorable performance I have had was when I performed my Violin and Bass duo, with Nigel Armstrong on violin, at a homeless shelter. This was the first time I performed my own composition in public.

QN: How did you get started composing? What kinds of pieces have you been working on recently?

XF: The moment when I considered composing was the moment when I listened to Edgar Meyers Double Concerto for Bass and cello; featuring Edgar himself on bass and Yo-yo Ma on the cello. I was inspired not only by Edgar’s virtuosity, but by the way Edgar

kept me interested and engaged throughout his entire Double Concerto. Regarding the pieces that I compose, I always attempt to create a story with music by borrowing different compositional techniques from different genres. I have recently been working on a Concert Duo for Bass and violin, and a Bass Solo piece; again trying to achieve a mixture of genres into my works.

QN: This was your fourth time participating in the Sphinx Competition. How have you seen yourself grow each year since your first competition in 2010?

XF: Competing in the Sphinx Competition each year has played a significant role in my development as a musician. Since the Sphinx Competition goes beyond the competition aspect and provides opportunities for all semi-finalists to play in master classes and participate in lectures, the competition provided memorable experiences for me to learn from, so when I leave the competition, I know what to start working on. So for me, as a four-year competitor, the Sphinx Competition has made

Q & A with Xavier Foleya huge impact on me in the four years that I have competed.

QN: In what ways has being involved with Sphinx changed your life?

XF: Sphinx has allowed me to continue my development as a musician by offering full tuition scholarships to a variety of well renowned Summer Music Festivals. Participation at these Festivals gives me the chance to network with other great musicians. To me, this is life changing.

QN: What advice would you give to future Sphinx Competition participants?

XF: I would advise future Sphinx Competitors to prepare their repertoire to their maximum potential. If, however, a competitor does not advance, then they will now know that what they thought was their maximum potential can actually be expanded beyond what they thought they were capable of. This is how I went about it when competing the four times that I have.

Aaron P. Dworkin Founder