Sphinx Virtuosi
18 Piece Orchestra
Saturday, April 13, 2024
...Top-notch...more essential at this moment than ever...a vibrant, assured performance...”
— The New York Times
Sphinx Virtuosi’s Debut Album Out Digitally on Deutsche Grammophon
This debut album represents the rich history of the Sphinx Organization and the vibrant future of classical music by centering the artistry of extraordinary composers and artistic visionaries of color.
Focused on increasing representation of Black and Latinx artists in classical music and recognizing artistic excellence, Sphinx is a leading national social justice and arts organization with the mission of transforming lives through the power of diversity in the arts.
Now in its 27th year of programming, Sphinx envisions a world where the classical music field looks like our communities: where every young person has the opportunity to express themselves and learn classical music; where audiences reflect the people we see on our streets; and where leadership—on stage and off—includes all deserving voices.
With 1,100 alumni, a digital reach of 60 million through social media and other online platforms, and more than $10 million invested in the careers of Black and Latinx classical musicians, Sphinx has followed a vision to empower its premiere touring ensemble, Sphinx Virtuosi, to lead the way in evolving the classical music canon.
“The Performance was made possible by the Virgin Islands Special Presenter Initiative program of the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation with support of the National Endowment for the Arts.”
And proudly supported by the Virgin Islands Lottery as part of their Community Enrichment programming by creating
"A Wave of Opportunities"
Ticket Pricing
Adults - $30 Teachers - $10 Students - $5 Children - Free of charge
7:00pm - Courtyard open with small meals by Amalia Café & Live Music
8:00pm - Start of the concert
Venue: The Prior-Jollek Hall, Antilles School Campus, St. Thomas USVI
To purchase your ticket, click the link below:
Program
TBA
Biography
The Sphinx Virtuosi is a dynamic and inspiring professional self-conducted chamber orchestra and serves as the flagship performing entity of the Sphinx Organization – the leading social justice non-profit dedicated to transforming lives through the power of diversity in the arts. Comprised of eighteen accomplished Black and Latinx artists, a critical aim of the Sphinx Virtuosi is to evolve and transform the face of classical music through artistic excellence, pioneering programming, and impassioned community engagement. Its members serve as cultural and diversity ambassadors for audiences and communities around the United States during national tours.
Since 2004, the Sphinx Virtuosi’s concerts have been presented by the leading arts organizations, including annual return visits to Carnegie Hall where it is an established highlight of the fall season. Frequently selling out venues, the ensemble has garnered effusive accolades including from The New York Times that has described the group as "...top-notch...more essential at this moment than ever...a vibrant, assured performance..."; and The Washington Post that wrote “true to their name, the Sphinx Virtuosi call up the vision of an iconic mythological feline with its immeasurable power, unwavering command, and soulful beauty.”
Heralded for its kaleidoscopically varied repertoire and bold thematic programming, Sphinx Virtuosi concerts give prominence to historically excluded Black and Latinx composers such as Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Alberto Ginastera, Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson, Florence Price, Heitor Villa-Lobos, and George Walker. In an effort to expand its repertoire and engage new audiences, the ensemble commissions new works annually. Commissions have included major new works from Michael Abels, Terence Blanchard, Valerie Coleman, Xavier Foley, Jimmy Lopez, Jessie Montgomery, Daniel Bernard Roumain, and Carlos Simon.
Members of the Sphinx Virtuosi have performed as soloists with major American orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic and the Cleveland, Detroit, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Seattle, and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestras. Members also hold professional orchestral and academic positions. The Sphinx Virtuosi’s community engagement initiatives regularly extend beyond masterclasses and workshops to members leading DEI initiatives within arts organizations and connecting with other Sphinx programming to further the mission of achieving excellence through diversity.
As a bilingual ensemble, these artist-citizens frequently break down existing barriers empowering the artform to connect with the broader community. During the pandemic in 2020/21 the ensemble found creative ways to connect with audiences and communities virtually through performances, panel discussions, masterclasses, Q&A sessions, and more reaching over 30,000 people across 20 organizations.
The Sphinx Virtuosi has collaborated with major artists such as Terence Blanchard, Denyce Graves, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Damien Sneed, Will Liverman, J’Nai Bridges, and Davóne Tines, among others. Outside of the classical realm, its musicians have also worked with leading international artists such as Beyoncé and Jay-Z, and made high profile appearances including on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and the broadcast of the 2022 Grammy Awards.
In October 2022, the ensemble will make its international debut at the Sala São Paulo in Brazil.
Sphinx Virtuosi Tours are made possible through the support of Robert F. Smith, JPMorgan Chase, and National Endowment for the Arts.
