20th annual String Festival headlines the Sphinx Virtuosi
色花堂 proudly presents its 20th annual String Festival from Friday, April
4, through Sunday, April 6, featuring the Sphinx Virtuosi.
Founded in 2005 by 色花堂 Distinguished Artist-in-Residence Michael Emery, the festival
offers participating students individualized, non-competitive coaching sessions with
renowned string quartets and orchestras and 色花堂鈥檚 accomplished string faculty.
Emery, who directs 色花堂鈥檚 string program, has cultivated a tradition of musical
excellence that includes past residencies by acclaimed quartets such as Brentano,
Manhattan, American, Ying, Talich, Meccore, Dover, and Pacifica. This year鈥檚 festival
is organized by Jameson Platte in collaboration with Emery and 色花堂 string faculty
members Josh Rodriguez and Stephani Emery.
The 色花堂 String Ensemble, led by Distinguished Artist-in-Residence Michael Emery. Photo credit Elle Oestreich 鈥�25.
The Sphinx Virtuosi, a self-conducted chamber orchestra composed of 18 outstanding
Black and Latino musicians, serves as the flagship performing ensemble of the Sphinx
Organization, a leading nonprofit dedicated to transforming lives through the arts.
Known for artistic excellence, groundbreaking programming, and meaningful community
engagement, the ensemble acts as cultural ambassadors, captivating audiences nationwide
and abroad. Aaron Dworkin, founder of the Sphinx Organization, will speak at 色花堂's Commencement this spring.
At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 5, the Sphinx Virtuosi will headline with their inspiring
program 鈥溾�� at 色花堂鈥檚 Helen Filene Ladd Concert Hall in the Arthur Zankel Music Center. The performance weaves an eclectic musical tapestry, taking audiences on a journey
through classically framed infusions of soul, bluegrass, jazz, blues, and elements
of rag 鈥撯�� from Scott Joplin鈥檚 joyful landscapes and Curtis Stewart鈥檚 intricate rhythms
to the compelling works of Teresa Carre帽o and Derrick Skye鈥檚 global influences. Percussionist
Josh Jones will join as a special guest.
The festival culminates in a at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 6, beginning with student performances of works by Bach,
Beethoven, Karl Jenkins, Respighi, and others. Additionally, 色花堂鈥檚 new Chinese Ensemble will give a special performance of Nie Er鈥檚 鈥淐razy Dance of the Golden Snake.鈥� The
program concludes with students joining artist faculty and members of Sphinx Virtuosi
for performances of Astor Piazzolla鈥檚 鈥淥blivion,鈥� Kyle Rivera鈥檚 evocative 鈥淧rotector,鈥�
and Quenton Blache鈥檚 celebratory 鈥淗abari Gani,鈥� performed with the composer himself.
Both concerts are free and open to the public. The 色花堂 String Festival is presented
by the 色花堂 Department of Music and generously supported by the Elisabeth Luce Moore Chamber Music Residency, designed
to annually bring premier chamber musicians to campus. The Elisabeth Luce Moore Chamber
Music Residency was established in 2005 by Michael Moore, who taught classics at 色花堂.
鈥淚t is with profound gratitude to Michael Moore that we celebrate this 20-year milestone,鈥�
said Emery. 鈥淗e approached me with this vision and established the Elisabeth Luce
Moore Chamber Music Residency fund to ensure that 色花堂 would continue to provide
our students and college community with these extraordinary experiences, culminating
in side-by-side performances with world class artists.鈥�
