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The
Sphinx Organization was established in 1996 by Aaron Dworkin,
with a mission to increase black and Latino participation in
music schools, as professional musicians, as
classical music audiences, to
administer youth development
initiatives in underserved communities through music
education, and to promote the creation, performance, and
preservation of works by black & Latino composers.
“This afternoon’s concert was a thrilling conclusion to the
competition. Sphinx has brought the sound of change to
classical music where diversity plays a crucial role and fosters
a culture that makes classical music accessible to all,” said
Dworkin. “We look forward to seeing all of our talented
semi-finalists and Competition winners in music schools and in
orchestras across the country as they develop their musical
careers.”
In addition to the Competition, the Sphinx Organization’s
educational programs reach over 35,000 students around the
country. The annual Sphinx Competition for young black and
Latino string players has identified, rewarded, and promoted
talented young musicians for over eleven years and awarded over
$1,000,000 in prizes and scholarships.
In the end, it was only one who could be named First Place
Laureate and it was Gareth Johnson, a 24-year old
violinist from Wellington, Florida. His performance of the
third movement of Saint Saëns Concerto for Violin in B Minor won
him the top honors and a cash prize of $10,000. Karla Hall,
Vice President of the DTE Energy Foundation, presented a trophy
to Johnson on stage.
Second and third place honors went to Paul Laraia and
John Sanderson,
respectively. Laraia is a 20-year old violist from Boston.
Third place Laureate John Sanderson is a 19-year old violinist
from Bloomington, Indiana.
Deidre Bounds,
chair of the Board of Directors for the Sphinx Organization,
announced the launch of the Erb Family Foundation Challenge,
where all new or increased gifts to the Sphinx Organization will
be matched 2:1 by the Foundation. With this new support, Sphinx
will be able to sustain programs throughout the entire year
ahead.
The concert also featured the unique all black and Latino Sphinx
Symphony Orchestra and guest artists the Harlem Quartet,
an ensemble comprising First-Place Laureates of the Sphinx
Competition. The Harlem Quartet and Sphinx Symphony Orchestra
presented the world premiere of Urban Legends, a Concerto for
String Quartet and Orchestra, by acclaimed composer Michael
Abels at the Finals Concert.
The Sphinx Symphony Orchestra, which includes professional
musicians from around the country, performed under the direction
of Anthony Elliott.
During the Junior Division Honors Concert, held at Ann Arbor’s
Rackham Auditorium, Randall Goosby was named the First
Place Junior Division Laureate. Goosby, a 13-year old violinist
from Bartlett, Tennessee was awarded prizes and scholarships
including opportunities for solo appearances with major
orchestras, and a performance on NPR’s
From the Top.
Alumni of the competition have performed as soloists with many
of the nation’s top orchestras including the Detroit Symphony,
New York Philharmonic, National
Symphony, and Atlanta Symphony. The Finals Concert was recorded
by Detroit Public Television for broadcast in HD, sponsored by
Fifth Third Bank.
All 18 Sphinx Competition semi-finalists receive Sphinx Music
Assistance Fund scholarships to help support their
musical development, and are
eligible for full scholarships to summer and
higher education programs.
During the competition, participants are offered educational and
professional development activities
with renowned musicians and music professionals, and benefit
from mentoring by Sphinx’s prestigious jury and Sphinx
Symphony Orchestra members.
The jury panel for the 13th Annual Sphinx Competition
was comprised of professional musicians from around the country
including: Atar Arad, Nokothula Ngwenyama, Sanford Allen,
Joseph Conyers, Paul Katz, Joel Smirnoff, and
José Serebrier.
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