By Aaron Dworkin, The Sphinx Organization

Nationally, Blacks and Latinos represent approximately 4.5% of American orchestras today. The Sphinx Virtuosi is a conductor-less ensemble of soloists composed of top young string musicians of color from across the country (formerly known as the Sphinx Chamber Orchestra). Their mission is of a singular importance: to present cutting edge repertoire that embodies diversity and reflects the many of voices of our communities today. The ensemble has attracted the broadest audience demographic at their various concerts throughout the nation.

They began performing as an ensemble in 2004, with their critically acclaimed debut at the legendary Carnegie Hall. Since 2006, they have returned to Carnegie Hall every year, to rave reviews from the New York Times. They began touring nationally in 2008, covering cities coast to coast, from New York, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Charlotte, Miami to Denver and Los Angeles. The group is led by the Catalyst Quartet, Sphinx’s premiere ensemble, who have also received their own acclaim for their performances around the globe.

This year’ program stands our particularly: entitled “Music of the Americas”, the repertoire features important contributions by composers of color from North, Central and South America. The Sphinx Virtuosi have garnered attention from critics and the classical music community nationally, both for their radiant performance on stage to their grassroots work in the communities, where they play for and engage young people in underserved communities. In their fifth year of touring, they have collaborated with Sweet Honey in the Rock, Chicago Children’s Choir, Chicago Sinfonietta and Irvin Mayfield, a legendary trumpeter and bandleader.

Ultimately, the Sphinx Virtuosi are striving to change the face of classical music and to transform lives through the power of unique, relevant and diverse programming.

Click here to read the Washington Post’s recent review.