SPHINX VIRTUOSI HIGHLIGHTS CLASSICAL COMPOSERS OF COLOR

A member of Sphinx Virtuosi works with Dewberry School of Music students in the Mason Symphony Orchestra

The Center for the Arts' second Mason Artist-in-Residence of the 2021/2022 season, Sphinx Virtuosi, is one of the nation's most innovative and pioneering chamber music ensembles. Consisting of 18 classically trained Black and Latinx soloists, the self-conducting ensemble works to expand the classical canon, amplifying contemporary composers through annual commissioning projects, while uncovering and programming works by composers of color from the past.

The group performed a dynamic program, Tracing Visions, on October 17, 2021, at the Center for the Arts and led a week of residency activities, including campus lectures, Mason classroom visits, and masterclasses in Strings and Symphony Orchestra. In addition, Sphinx Virtuosi visited several community schools, including Halley Elementary, Garfield High School, Osborne High School, and Unity Reed High School. The residency concluded with a Center for the Arts donor event reflecting on the residency and community impact.