Sphinx Virtuosi And Catalyst Quartet Return To Carnegie Hall Stage

New York, NY (Top40 Charts) In celebration of 15 years of excellence and diversity throughout its programs, the Sphinx Organization will launch its Sphinx15 campaign at the annual Series at Carnegie Hall. The Sphinx Virtuosi at Carnegie Hall, co-presented by Bloomberg, the global business and financial information and news leader, and the Sander and Norma K. Buchman Fund, will take place on October 12, 2011 at 6 p.m. in Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium. This year's event is led by Honorary Chair, Actress and Recording Artist Vanessa Williams.

"Our artists are dedicated to giving enriching and captivating performances, and we are honored that Vanessa Williams has a leadership role in the celebration of our work over the past 15 years"

The concert will feature the critically acclaimed Sphinx Virtuosi as well the Catalyst Quartet, a Sphinx ensemble. Last year's inspiring concert sold out to an audience of nearly 3,000 and received rave reviews from The New York Times' Allan Kozinn.

The event, chaired by Vanessa Williams, Actress and Recording Artist, has already received leadership support from the Frank & Lydia Bergen Foundation, as well as James B. & Ann V. Nicholson and the Jason Richardson Foundation as Sphinx15 Angel Sponsors. The concert directly promotes Sphinx's mission to build diversity in classical music on stage, in the audience, and through the performance of works by composers of color.

"As the daughter of music teachers, the indelible influence of music education played an important role in my becoming the person I am today. Education was always a priority of my parents and I believe every young student should be afforded the same opportunities that I had in school," states Vanessa Williams.
Ms. Williams continued, "I applaud the vision of the Sphinx Organization, and I am pleased to help them ensure that classical music not only reflects cultural diversity, but is a part of the daily lives of our young people. For the young audience members at Carnegie Hall, seeing professional artists of color perform will demonstrate that they can and will realize their goals."

The October 2011 performance marks the seventh appearance of the Sphinx musicians at Carnegie Hall. More than just a traditional chamber orchestra, the Sphinx Virtuosi is a conductor-less ensemble of 20 accomplished soloists of color, each a virtuoso in his or her own right. Led by the principal players of the ensemble, Sphinx Virtuosi members have attended the top music schools in the country, including the Juilliard School, Curtis Institute of Music and the New England Conservatory of Music among many others.

"Through sustained support from our co-presenters, Bloomberg and the Sander and Norma K. Buchman Fund, and all of our committed sponsors, Sphinx provides young musicians of color the opportunity to perform on one of the world's great stages," said the organization's Founder and President, Aaron P. Dworkin. "Our artists are dedicated to giving enriching and captivating performances, and we are honored that Vanessa Williams has a leadership role in the celebration of our work over the past 15 years," Dworkin added.

The Sphinx Organization would also like to thank Deidre Bounds, Anthony and Adela Glover, Norman and Deborah Herbert, the Victor Herbert Foundation, Carl and Charlene Herstein, Mrs. Cassandra Seidenfeld Lyster and Mr. Robert Lyster, Diana Bianchi Moison, Dr. Gilbert S. Omenn and Mrs. Martha Darling, Sonya J. Snedecor, and Dr. Anne L. Taylor for their leadership support.

Aaron Dworkin founded the Sphinx Organization in 1996, and was awarded a prestigious MacArthur Fellowship in 2005 in recognition of his work in bringing diversity to classical music. In 2010, Dworkin was President Barack Obama's first nominee to the National Council on the Arts.

The Sphinx Organization is the national nonprofit organization committed to building diversity in classical music and proudly presents the concert at Carnegie Hall as a part of the Sphinx Virtuosi's national tour.

Information regarding Sponsorship opportunities and VIP arrangements are available through the Sphinx Organization by calling Alison Piech at (646) 429-1987, ext. 709 or emailing [email protected].

Order your tickets now for the Sphinx Virtuosi at Carnegie Hall by visiting: https://www.carnegiesphinx15.charityhappenings.org/

The Sphinx Virtuosi at Carnegie Hall is presented with generous support from Bloomberg and the Sander and Norma K. Buchman Fund. The annual tour of the Sphinx Virtuosi is made possible by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
Support for youth and community programs through Musical Encounters-The Tour! is provided by Target.