NBC-TV in Kansas City: 'Sphinx Chamber Orchestra visits Ruskin High School' (1:33)

[Sphinx Chamber Orchestra, NBC-TV Action News Kansas City]

“They hope to inspire passion for classical music

NBCActionNews.com

Posted: 10/25/2010

By: John Batten

KANSAS CITY, Missouri - “Some talented young musicians who have played Carnegie Hall made a stop at Ruskin High School Monday. They're hoping to inspire a love of classical music in a new audience. 'The Sphinx Chamber Orchestra's a touring ensemble. We get together every year for about a month and just go around the country playing concerts,' said Tony Rymer, a cellist from Boston.

“That sounds like a pretty good gig, as the musicians say. Rymer wants to share it with kids who might not otherwise get a chance to consider a career playing classical music. 'Well, it's a lot of fun. We get paid and I think it's a good mission that the Sphinx Organization has; to diversify classical music,' Rymer said. They hope to accomplish that mission by exposing minority audiences to talented African-American and Latino musicians playing not only Bach and friends, but works by African-American and Latino composers.”

“The Sphinx Chamber Orchestra was brought to Ruskin High through a partnership with UMKC's 'Musical Bridges' program.” [The Sphinx Organization was founded in 1996 by violinist Aaron P. Dworkin (b. 1970), who is profiled at AfriClassical.com.]

Harlem Quartet & Sphinx Chamber Orchestra Perform at August Wilson Center Opening Tonight

[Harlem String Quartet]

Post-Gazette.com
August Wilson Center opens its doors
Music, dancing part of tonight's fanfare
Thursday, September 17, 2009
By Sally Kalson, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

“Live music, star voices and heartfelt thanks, accompanied by the aroma of southern foods, will waft through the airy spaces of the August Wilson Center for African American Culture tonight as the new facility holds its grand opening celebration.” “Events will run from 5 p.m. to midnight, with three segments based on ticket level. Guests also will be able to tour the opening exhibitions, 'Pittsburgh: Reclaim, Renew, Remix' and 'In My Father's House.' Members of the public may visit the center for free on Saturday from noon to 5 p.m.”

“In addition to the southern buffets and cocktails, festivities will feature music by The Harlem Quartet and violinist Elena Urioste. They also will perform as part of the larger Sphinx Chamber Orchestra, comprising young African-American and Latino musicians performing Bach, Vivaldi and Mozart, as well as works by composers Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson, George Theophilus Walker and Michael Abels. Also performing will be Broadway singer/actor and Carnegie Mellon University graduate Billy Porter; the August Wilson World Chorus, 75 singers from local churches coming together just for tonight's event; and the August Wilson Dance Ensemble.” [Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson and George Walker are profiled at AfriClassical.com]

Sphinx Chamber Orchestra & Harlem Quartet at Bowling Green State University Sept. 13

[Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson (1932-2004): A Celebration; Chicago Sinfonietta et al.; Paul Freeman, Conductor; Cedille 90000 087 (2005)]

LaPrensaToledo.com
Bowling Green State University
Lively Arts Calendar
Sept. 13—The opening concert of the 2009-10 Festival Series at BGSU features the Sphinx Chamber Orchestra, made up of top alumni of the national Sphinx Competition for young black and Latino string players. Joining the orchestra for the 3 p.m. performance in Kobacker Hall of the Moore Musical Arts Center will be guest violinist Elena Urioste and the Harlem String Quartet, comprised of the orchestra’s principal chairs. Urioste was recently selected by Symphony magazine as an emerging artist to watch. The diverse program will include well-known repertoire by Mozart and Vivaldi, in addition to works by Latino and African-American composers such as Piazzolla, Michael Abels and Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson. For tickets, call the Moore Center box office at 419-372-8717 or 1-800-589-2224. [Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson is profiled at AfriClassical.com]

Detroit Symphony Orchestra Comments on Toledo Blade Review of Sphinx Concert

[Maestro Chelsea Tipton II conducts Sphinx Chamber Orchestra]

Yesterday AfriClassical posted: “Toledo Blade on Sphinx Chamber Orchestra: 'Seasoned musicians shine in group's debut'”. We sent the link to Sally Vallongo, the staff writer, in an E-mail: “Hello Sally, It is a rare concert review which appears in AfriClassical in its entirety, but this is one of them. You really outdid yourself with the review of the Sphinx Chamber Orchestra's debut at Orchestra Hall yesterday! I almost felt I was there when I read your vivid and detailed account of the performers, composers, works and techniques on display at the concert.” Today we received a comment from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra: “This was truly a remarkable concert. I'm Michael Taylor, new media and PR associate here at the DSO and I'm sure anyone who was able to attend left inspired. This is a tour that will continue to have "life" long after the tour is over.” 

Sphinx Chamber Orchestra and Harlem Quartet Launch Blog About U.S. Tour

[Harlem Quartet; Photo by Tia Williams]

Stephan Bobalik of The Sphinx Organization sends us this update from the U.S. Tour: “Thanks for keeping up with all the news about Sphinx. The Sphinx Chamber Orchestra/Harlem Quartet tour is off to a great start. We had a great performance at the Krannert Center in Urbana last night, and Saturday we’ll be at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Chicago. I thought you and your readers might be interested in our tour blog: http://www.SphinxMusic.org/blog We’ll keep it updated with news from the tour and hopefully posts from some of the musicians! All the best, Stephan"