The Harris Theater is co-commissioner of a new collaborative work
featuring Sphinx Virtuosi, America’s most celebrated and influential
African-American and Latino youth orchestra ensemble. The Sphinx
Virtuosi ensemble is part of Sphinx Organization, a national non-profit
group focused on youth development and diversity in classical music.
Sphinx Organization was founded by Aaron P. Dworkin, President Obama’s
first nominee of the National Council on the Arts and a Champion for
Change for Arts Education at the White House.
This edition of the work commissioned for Sphinx Virtuosi, created
exclusively for Harris Theater, was composed and will be conducted only
in Chicago by musician and scholar William “Bill” Banfield and features
evocative lyrics by Grammy Award-winning African-American female a
cappella ensemble Sweet Honey In The Rock.
These vocalists will be performing as soloists with an orchestra for
the very first time, in this one-night-only performance. Young
performers from the Chicago Children’s Choir, one of the Theater’s
resident companies, will join these renowned artists for the
concert. The Chicago Children’s Choir is led by Josephine Lee, President
and Artistic Director.
The new symphony, titled “Affirmations for a New World,” is a co-commission with National Symphony Orchestra in Washington D.C. and Minnesota Orchestra. This version of the work will be a new edition conducted by Banfield.
Symphony No. 10, Affirmations for a New World
o Prelude
o A Higher Note (lyrics by Aisha Kahlil)
o Dream (lyrics by Carol Maillard)
o The Day The World Awoke (lyrics by Nitanju Bolade Casel)
o Yes (lyrics by Ysaye M. Barnwell)
o Discourse On Change (lyrics by Louise Robinson)
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