Sphinx Commissioning Consortium Selects Daniel Roumain

Daniel Roumain to be featured on American Idol, Wednesday, April 1st

Composer Daniel Roumain has been selected to compose the second work to be commissioned by the Sphinx Commissioning Consortium, an alliance between the Sphinx Organization and nine American orchestras that seeks to build the repertoire of works by Black and Latino composers. Roumain was chosen from among composers nominated for the commission by 9 orchestras and the Sphinx Organization. The Sphinx Organization nominated Roumain for the award.

Currently, works by Black and Latino composers account for less than one percent of the classical music performed by American orchestras each year. Through a partnership between major orchestras and the Sphinx Organization, the Sphinx Commissioning Consortium seeks to increase that number while adding to the orchestral repertoire.

Haitian-American Daniel Romain’s works range from orchestral scores and chamber pieces to music for film, the theater, modern dance, and electronica. Roumain has collaborated with an array of orchestras and chamber ensembles. Recent performances and commissions include a commissioned work for Imani Winds premiering at Carnegie Hall in 2009; WE MARCH!, a guitar concerto that premiered with Eliot Fisk and the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra; a work commissioned for the University of Alabama composed in honor of Vivian Malone Jones; and newly commissioned works for the Florida Youth Orchestra, Ahn Trio and Claremont Trio.

“We are thrilled to commission a new piece by Daniel Roumain,” said Aaron Dworkin. “Daniel's vibrant blend of musical styles and cultures will be a dynamic addition to the repertoire of the Sphinx Commissioning Consortium.”

The new work will be scored for full orchestra, and will be premiered during the 2010-2011 season by an orchestral member of the Consortium with subsequent performances by the remaining 8 Consortium orchestras that season.

The Sphinx Commissioning Consortium includes the Sphinx Organization and nine American orchestras committed to building the orchestral repertoire of works by Black and Latino composers. Each member orchestra will contribute financially to the commission and will perform the new work following its premiere. The nine member orchestras are the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Nashville Symphony, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, Richmond Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Virginia Symphony Orchestra, and the New World Symphony, America’s orchestral academy.

The Sphinx Commissioning is administered by the Sphinx Organization, the national non-profit arts and youth development organization dedicated to building diversity in classical music.