Vol. 14, No. 4

The Quarter NoteFall 2013

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After five successful touring seasons, the Sphinx Virtuosi embark on its 6th annual tour, performing in 16 venues across 13 states. The tour will feature performances at The Harris Theater with special guest Denyce Graves, the 10th anniversary of the Sphinx Virtuosi at Carnegie Hall concert series, a collaborative concert with the Houston Symphony, the ensemble’s third return to both Miami’s New World Center and the Charlotte community, and conclude at the Kennedy Center in a concert presented by the Washington Performing Arts Society.

This year’s theme, A Dialogue Between Two Eras, represents a figurative “conversation” showcasing a selection of great gems from the baroque and contemporary eras, while accenting the program with works by composers of color. The architecture of the program pays homage to great 20th century composers who were either deeply interested in the baroque or had a tangible connection to it. We invite you to experience Perkinson’s ingenious use of baroque elements and consider Piazzolla’s early devotion to Bach, topped off by Britten’s Simple Symphony, Opus 4, a suite of dances common to the baroque in their form.

The Sphinx Virtuosi will feature a work by the Composer-in-Residence, Jessie Montgomery, who also performs as a member of the ensemble and the Catalyst Quartet. In addition to featured performances by the Catalyst Quartet, Gabriel Cabezas and Christine Lamprea will join forces, and Ade Williams will be a featured violin soloist.

The national Sphinx Virtuosi Tour is made possible with the generous support of The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, with additional support from National Endowment for the Arts/ArtWorks, the MetLife Foundation, and Aetna. The 2013 Sphinx Virtuosi Composer-in-Residence Partnership was funded by a gift from Linda and Stuart Nelson.As we work to transform lives through the power of diversity in the arts, we hope you will join us during this exciting time!

Sphinx Virtuosi Embark on Sixth National Tour

Sphinx Stars: Detroit Launches with Great Success

Aaron P. Dworkin Founder

Sept. 29 James Lumber Center - Grayslake, ILOct. 1 Harris Theater - Chicago, ILOct. 2 Western Michigan - Kalamazoo, MI Oct. 4 Rockefeller University - New York, NYOct. 6 Cheyney University - Cheyney, PA Oct. 8 Carnegie Hall - New York, NY Oct. 10 Norton Center for the Arts - Danville, KY Oct. 12 Houston Symphony - Houston, TX Oct. 22 New World Center - Miami, FL Oct. 25 Beaches Fine Arts Series - Jacksonville Beach, FL Oct. 27 Arts Center of Coastal Carolina - Hilton Head Beach, SCOct. 29 The Grand Opera House - Macon, GANov. 1 Blumenthal Performing Arts - Charlotte, NC Nov. 3 Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech - Blacksburg, VANov. 5 Denison University - Granville, OH Nov. 7 Washington Performing Arts Society - Washington, DC

Artistic Advisors: Joel Smirnoff and Rachel Barton PineFor complete tour information, please visit www.SphinxVirtuosi.org

The Sphinx Virtuosi and Catalyst Quartetare exclusively represented in North America byCalifornia Artists Management (www.CalArtists.com)

Each of the nine finalists of the inaugural Sphinx Stars: Detroit demonstrated great skill and poise for the panel of judges and studio audience, but the results are in, and the Grand Prize Winner is Caleb Washington, 14, piano! Congratulations to all of the finalists including the Runners-Up, Tristan Cappel, 17, alto sax, and Marina Kondo, 17, voice. In addition to the $10,000 Grand Prize, Caleb will travel locally and nationally for performance opportunities as an arts ambassador. Audiences at the Detroit Institute of Arts, Children’s Hospital of Michigan and others will host Caleb and the other finalists to share their talents with the community. The journey has just begun for these young musicians and they will continue to perform across Southeast Michigan and beyond, spreading their message of transforming lives through the power of diversity in the arts.

Will YOU be the next Sphinx Star of Detroit?Visit SphinxStars.org to learn more about how you can apply for your chance to win the $10,000 Grand Prize. The competition is open to young musicians from all cultural backgrounds residing in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw counties, up to the age of 18, performing all genres and with all instruments including voice. Live auditions will be held this fall and applicants also have the option of submitting a video online before the December deadline. Don’t delay, sign up for your chance to win today at SphinxStars.org!

Lead Corporate Sponsor

Aaron P. Dworkin Founder

PRESIDENT’S LETTERDear Friends,

I hope this message finds you well and that you enjoyed a music-filled summer!

We have just completed our 10th anniversary of the Sphinx Performance Academy! A special congratulations to our Dean of the Sphinx Performance Academy, Christopher Jenkins, on his excellent work leading the program! This summer SPA was hosted at Oberlin Conservatory and at the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University, and we want to congratulate all the students who joined us this summer. Your growth, talent, and commitment to your craft are truly inspiring. We deeply appreciate all our wonderful partners who make this critical program possible, especially the Surdna Foundation, Irving Harris Foundation, D’Addario, Chauncey and Marion D. McCormick Family Foundation, James Dingus, Jr. and the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation and the League of American Orchestras.

You can catch up with our students on our SPA Blog here: http://sphinxpeformanceacademy.wordpress.com/

As the students return to school and the fall season approaches, we are continuing to transform lives through our exciting educational and performance programs. When I think of the “back to school” season, our Overture after school program comes to my mind, and I envision our young students when they receive their very own violin to play, bringing out their inner artist and helping them discover the joy of making music. This experience will now be felt by hundreds more elementary students in the Detroit and Flint communities, especially as we work with our key educational and community partners.

This fall, we’re also embarking on our largest national tour of the Sphinx Virtuosi! We will be in a city near you soon, and hope that you will join us in the audience to witness the Sphinx Virtuosi live.

As the leaves change and as the holidays approach, I encourage you to share our exciting news with your networks of partners, friends and peers. We count on your advocacy and support to help us shape the future of classical music and the performing arts.

Take care,

-Aaron

Editor: Alison PiechContributors: Margaret Cassetto, Andre Dowell, Aaron Dworkin, Lindsay Vanfleteren, 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 DirectorsDeidre Lambert-Bounds, ChairAnthony Glover, Vice ChairVivian Pickard, TreasurerCarl Herstein, SecretaryRachel Barton PineDiana Bianchi MoisonWilliam CarsonMartha DarlingAaron DworkinKenneth FischerMaxine FrankelPatricia GarciaSandra GibsonLinda GillumNorman HerbertHoward HertzAndrea HoffmanMarianne LockwoodMajorie PearsallSally Stegeman DiCarloAnne TaylorKathy WeaverBeverly Willis

© 2013 Sphinx Organization400 Renaissance Center, Ste 2550Detroit, MI 48243 313-877-9100info@SphinxMusic.orgwww.SphinxMusic.org

I amAaron P. Dworkin Founder

- Lonnie Mitchell, 172013 SPA Student

Sphinx CompetitionPresenter

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

Special Artistic AdvisorYo-Yo Ma

“These are memories I will always treasure and wrap myself in when the world gets cold, to remind myself that there are people who are warm. This is my first time encountering friends like this, and I never had friends like this in my life, and I couldn’t have asked for a better surprise.”

SPHINX NEWSMilena Pajaro-van de Stadt, 2006 junior division 2nd place Laureate and her quartet, the Dover Quartet, recently won the 11th Banff International String Quartet competition. Congratulations!

Sphinx Guest Conductor, advocate and longtime friend, Chelsea Tipton, will be receiving the Aspire Award from Sphinx Partner, the Atlanta Symphony, in October. The Aspire Award identifies accomplished professional musicians who are African American or Latino who also demonstrate a tremendous commitment to community and inclusiveness.

Hannah White, 2013 junior division Laureate, recently placed first in the Music Teachers National Association Junior Division strings competition.

Sphinx Symphony member and previous Sphinx Virtuosi violinist Maureen Conlon-Gutierrez has won a position in the first violin section of the Wheeling Symphony.

Patricia Silva has officially accepted positions teaching double bass at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois and Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. She also just won a section position at the Quad City Symphony Orchestra.

SPA Student Josh Leak has been accepted to Interlochen International Arts Academy.

Sphinx Medals of Excellence Honoree and acclaimed violinist, Tai Murray, recently visited London Music Masters in July and worked with Bridge Project students from Jessop Primary in her capacity as an LMM Ambassador.

Sphinx Alum Myles-Amir Harlan has graduated from Sphinx Partner Interlochen Arts Academy while also earning a full scholarship to Vanderbilt University, where he will begin studies in music and business this fall.

Send us your news and updates: QuarterNote@SphinxMusic.org

Register now at www.SphinxCon.org Early bird special at $69.99 ($30 savings!)

Hurry, this offer expires on November 1st

Current 2014 Speaker Roster:Aaron Dworkin - Founder and President, Sphinx OrganizationMaria López De León - Executive Director, National Assoc. of Latino Arts & CultureAbel López - Associate Producing Director, Gala Hispanic TheaterBetty Siegel - Director of VSA, Kennedy CenterStephen Henderson - Host, American Black JournalKaty Locker - Detroit Program Director, Knight FoundationClayton Lord - VP of Arts Advancement, Americans for the ArtsAndrea Hoffman - Founder and CEO, Diversity AffluenceDavid Morrow - President, National Association of Negro MusiciansDavid C. Howse - Executive Director, Boston Children’s ChorusTeresa Eyring - Executive Director, Theater Communications GroupRick Robinson - Musician, CutTime ProductionsJames C. Horton - Program Director, Natl Guild for Community Arts EducationCandice Anderson - Executive Director, Cool Culture John Morning - Independent Philanthropy Professional Kaisha S. Johnson - Director of Touring Artists, Center for Traditional Music & DanceStanford Thompson - Founder, Play on, Philly!Maud Lyon - Executive Director, Culture SourceLester Monts - Senior Vice Provost, University of MichiganVince Paul - President and Artistic Director, Detroit Music HallAmy Fitterer - Executive Director, Dance USAJohn Bracey - Executive Director, MCACAStanlyn Brevé - Program Specialist, National Performance NetworkGabriela Frank - Latin Grammy Award Winning ComposerCDR Moira McGuire - Director of Creative Arts Program, Walter Reed

17th Annual Sphinx Competitionfor young Black & Latino string players

Will YOU be the next Sphinx Competition winner?February 19-23, 2014 Applications due Nov. 12, 2013

To apply, visit Sphinx.MyReviewRoom.com

Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the Max M. Fisher Music Center:Key artistic partner and exclusive home of the 2014 Sphinx Competition

Presented by

Featured Speakers:Adrian Anantawan - Program Co-Director, Dudamel Orchestra Conductor Simon Shaheen - International Performing Artist

SAVE THEDATE!

February 21-23, 2014, Detroit, MI

“

RSVP by September 25, 2013to Lindsay Vanfleteren 313-877-9100 x717Lindsay@SphinxMusic.org

Tuesday, October 8, 2013Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall

6:00 PM Performance u Afterglow to Follow

The Sphinx Virtuosi at Carnegie Hall

Co-presented by

and the Sander and Norma K. Buchman Fund

with additional support from

the GM Foundation and Starlite Media

first-rate”The New York Times

Choice Box Seating for One | $250 Performance Only Giza Plateau | $1,500 nChoice Carnegie Hall Box Seat for One Guest nAfterglow Admission for One Guest nRecognition in program book

Pyramid Patron | $2,500 nPreferred Carnegie Hall Box Seating for Two Guests nAfterglow Admission for Two Guests nRecognition in program book

Pharaoh Club | $5,000 nPriority Carnegie Hall Box Seating for Four Guests nAfterglow Admission for Four Guests nTwenty General Admission tickets for school or community group of your choice nRecognition throughout evening and in program book

Angel Sponsor | $10,000 nPremium Carnegie Hall Box for Eight Guests nAfterglow Admission for Eight Guests nThirty General Admission tickets for the school or community group of your choice nRecognition on-stage, in program book, and on Sphinx website

Aaron P. Dworkin Founder

The Sphinx Organization invites you to join usin celebrating the 10th anniversary of

We had a chance to catch up with Sphinx Alumna and composer, Jessie Montgomery, for this issue of the Quarter Note! Jessie will join the Sphinx Virtuosi on their national tour this fall as Composer in Residence. The 2013 Sphinx Virtuosi Composer-in-Residence Partnership has been funded by a gift from Linda and Stuart Nelson. The national Sphinx Virtuosi Tour is made possible with the generous support of The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation with additional support from National Endowment for the Arts/Art Works, MetLife Foundation and Aetna.

QuarterNote: What have you been up to this summer?

400 Renaissance CenterSuite 2550Detroit MI 48243

Somethingto Ponder:

“Education is all a matter of building bridges.” - Ralph Ellison

Jessie Montgomery: This summer I’ve been working hard with the Catalyst Quartet in preparation of our repertoire for the upcoming concert season. Each summer we work for 4 weeks with the students at the Sphinx Performance Academy and that is always an exciting and rewarding experience. The students work really hard and help put in to perspective the work that we do as artists. Teaching gives us the opportunity to review the principles that guide our own artistry, and in that process we always find the students to be very receptive and hard-working, which is very inspiring. I have also been working this summer on a recent commission for a new string quartet, made possible by Symphony Space and the Isaiah Fund for New Initiatives. The new work, Source Code, will be premiered by the Cassatt Quartet at Symphony Space in late November.

QN: This year, you are serving as the Sphinx Virtuosi Composer in Residence. What are you most excited about?

JM: This is a truly exciting position because of the opportunity to write new music that is tailored specifically to players I already have

an active working relationship with. I am familiar with everyone’s personality and style of playing and I’m excited to create music that will highlight the unique profile of the ensemble. I’m also very excited to bring my music to the array of audiences we see on tour each year and what that means as far as spreading the good word about new music and it’s impact on audiences. I often find that audiences are more open to hearing new music than we as musicians give them credit for, and that having newer works on a program will pique the interest of first-time concert-goers to explore more concert music in general. It’s thrilling to be a part of that process of discovery for people.

QN: What’s your favorite thing about the creative process behind composing?

JM: My favorite thing about being a composer is actually hearing the piece in “real life” for the first time. I spend so much time in the creative process, alone, creating potential sounds from my imagination, and it’s a real wonder to finally hear them actualized. For each first performance of a new piece, it either confirms or denies what I was thinking when

Q & A with Jessie MontgomeryI first sat down to write, and that process of reflection and analysis is an important part of my identity as a musician. Composing is a way for me to really focus my point of view musically in a way that is clear and translatable. Each piece is like a record of how I’ve come to know myself as a musician, and as I become more firm in my opinions, it’s satisfying to be able to look back on where I’ve come from in the process.

QN: Share with us a few of your favorite quintessentially New York things. What’s the most inspirational for you and your work?

JM: New York is amazing because of the outstanding number of fantastic musicians and other artists who live there. My composer self gets very excited whenever I think of the potential of putting on a concert of my works because I know I have some of the world’s best communicators at my disposal to make it happen. The get-it-done- and-get-it-right attitude of my New York colleagues is a huge motivator for me.

To learn more about Jessie please visit: SphinxMusic.org/bio-jessie-montgomery.html

Aaron P. Dworkin Founder