The Quarter Note Vol. 9, No. 1 Winter 2008 q Sphinx Da Capo Kresge Foundation Pledges Support for s we work to finalize our Meredith Riley, 17 (Ithaca, NY); Sphinx’s Youth Development Efforts planning for this year’s Clayton Penrose-Whitmore, 14 Acompetition, we are excited to (Evanston, IL); Hannah Ross, 17 share that the 11th annual Sphinx (Narrowsburg, NY); Alexandra he arts are an important part of any vibrant city, including Competition 2008 presented by Switala, 13 (Grapevine, TX); Da- Detroit. From the Detroit Symphony Orchestra to Motown Chase, showcasing the top young vid Ramos, 17 (St. Louis, MO); Trecordings to jazz clubs scattered around the city, Detroit’s history Black and Latino string play- Mary Loftus, 14 (Philadelphia, is reflected in the arts, and particularly music. ers in the country, will take place PA); Chaunte Ross, 16 (Mil- January 23-27, 2008, in Ann waukee, WI); Steven Laraia, 16 The Kresge Foundation has also been a Detroit institution for Arbor and Detroit, Michigan. (Swell, NJ) and Roberto Arundale, 17 (Fairbanks, AK). In our Senior many years. Founded in 1924 with a gift from Sebastian Kresge, th This marks the 11 year of the Division, our Semi-Finalists are: the Foundation now has assets of $3.9 billion and makes grants competition, bringing back many Jannina Barefield, 25 (New York, around the world. Kresge earned his fortune from a chain of of our esteemed alumni as well NY); Yemi Gonzales, 22 (New stores that grew into Kmart. as new Semi-Finalists as this York, NY); Gareth Johnson, 22 year’s participants. Our esteemed (Wellington, FL); Karla Donehew The Kresge Foundation’s new Detroit Program aims to invigorate Screening Committee faced a Perez, 23 (Cleveland, OH); Brit- the regional economy by strengthening the City’s neighborhoods challenging task of adjudicat- ton Riley, 20 (Los Angeles, CA); and downtown, promoting arts and culture and enhancing the ing the second highest number Luisa Barroso, 21 (Oberlin, OH); natural environment. Through this program, the Foundation has of applicants in Sphinx’s his- Andrew Griffin, 21 (Pittsburgh, committed $150,000 over three years to support educational and tory. We want to thank Geoffrey PA); Danielle Nesmith, 24 (Yorba, Applegate, Haden McKay, John Linda, CA), and Erica Snowden- artistic programming of the Sphinx Organization. Madison and Rick Robinson for Rodriguez, 20 (Cleveland, OH). their dedication and expertise. Congratulations to all 18 of you “Detroit’s arts community is vital to its future,” says Alice L. Carle, on your successes thus far! program officer for the Arts Support Program. “With the volatile We are proud to officially recog- th funding climate for arts and cultural organizations nationwide nize the Semi-Finalists of the 11 Our Finals jury panel this year is and our fragile state economy, the Kresge Foundation is using its annual national Sphinx Competi- comprised of professionals of the resources to bolster our arts ecosystem and help these organiza- tion for young Black and La- highest national and international tions secure their futures for generations to come.” tino string players. In our Junior profile: Anthony Elliott (profes- Division, our Semi-Finalists are: sor of cello/Michigan Youth Continued page 2 Continued page 3 KKK 2008 Sphinx Competition Semi-Finalists KKK

Meredith Riley Clayton Penrose-Whitmore Hannah Ross Alexandra Switala David Ramos Mary Loftus

Chaunte Ross Steven Laraia Roberto Arundale Jannina Barefield Yemi Gonzales Gareth Johnson

Karla Donehew Perez Britton Riley Luisa Barroso Andrew Griffin Danielle Nesmith Erica Snowden-Rodriguez Editor: Afa Sadykhly Contributors: Stephan Bobalik, Tania McGee & Afa Sadykhly EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’s note Design & Layout: Julie Renfro

Dear Friends! Founder/President Aaron P. Dworkin As we approach the 11th annual Sphinx Competition present- Board of Directors ed by Chase, I am happy to welcome and congratulate all of Ruben Acosta, Chair Jenice Mitchell, Vice-Chair our new and returning Semi-Finalists! Anthony Glover, Treasurer Kurtis T. Wilder, Secretary Deidre Bounds Betty Brooks I am also excited to share that our Preparatory Music Institute Phil Cole Martha Darling at Wayne State University ended the first semester with much Aaron P. Dworkin Al McDonough Daedra McGhee David Rudolph progress achieved by all students. Further, our Overture pro- Tony Spearman-Leach Beverly Willis gram saw an increase in its student body by 60%! Board of Advisors Sanford Allen David Cerone Finally, I must take this opportunity to express our most Ronald A. Crutcher Dominique de Lerma Matthew Derr Roberto Diaz heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for our Board chair Betty Anthony Elliott Kenneth C. Fischer Sandra Gibson Juanita Jackson Brooks, who is stepping down after having served in this leadership position since 2003. She Polly Kahn Christopher Kendall will continue to serve as our Development Board chair. Mrs. Brooks, we are forever grate- Christian Matjias Lolita Mayadas Charlene J. Mitchell Lester Monts ful for your leadership during a period of incredible growth at Sphinx. Your continued service Willis Patterson Juan Ramirez to the board is an incredible asset to the organization. We are also proud to welcome Ruben Stephen Shipps Albert Webster Acosta as our new Board chair and look forward to a successful year ahead under his leader- Honorary Committee ship. Nikki Giovanni Ida Kavafian Nigel Kennedy Jaime Laredo Yo-Yo E. Ma Branford Marsalis I hope you enjoyed this holiday season, and look forward to connecting with everyone in the Mark O’Connor Christopher O’Riley Itzhak Perlman André Previn next issue of The Quarter Note! Michael Tilson Thomas George Walker © 2008 Sphinx Organization 400 Renaissance Center, Ste 2550 Detroit, MI 48243 313-877-9100 Tania www.sphinxmusic.org [email protected] Kresge Foundation, cont. Sphinx Presenter of students in pursuit of music The Kresge Foundation is one studies at beginning and intermedi- of many foundations that have ate levels who lack access to steady, awarded grants to Sphinx. “We balanced musical training. are so proud to add Kresge to venerable names like Ford, Hearst, Thanks, in part, to the efforts of Skillman, and Surdna in our list Sphinx, the arts are alive and well of foundation supporters,” said in Detroit. “A thriving arts com- Sphinx President Aaron Dwor- munity and strong music education kin. “I commend the Foundation are important parts of a thriving for its long-term commitment to city,” said Sphinx’s Executive Direc- Detroit.” tor Tania McGee. “The arts teach us to think in new ways, give us a Sphinx’s Preparatory Music new lens through which to see the Bingham Trust Institute (Prep) and Overture world, and most importantly, make Division reach students in un- life much more interesting and The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation derserved communities across the fulfilling.” city. Overture introduces students in Southwest Detroit and the Osborn neighborhood to classical Whitney Fund music. Sphinx provides free Mr. David Rockefeller violins, weekly group lessons free of charge and subsi- The Hearst Foundation, Inc. Black United Fund dizes individual private The Loraine & Melinese Reuter Scherman Foundation The Kresge Foundation lessons. Now in its Foundation Aaron Copland Fund Augustine Foundation second year, the program Lula C. Wilson Trust Claire Giannini Fund continues to grow. Max & Victoria Dreyfus Frank & Lydia Bergen Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation Foundation Foundation Sphinx Prep offers Detroit middle and high school students instruc- tion on all orchestra instruments. Prep students receive not only instrumental instruction, but also training in music theory, ear training, and music history. The program The Harlem Quartet’s Desmond Neysmith is designed to address the needs gives some pointers to a Prep student Sphinx Da Capo, cont. SPHINX NEWS Symphony Orchestra conductor, Symphony Box Office, by calling University of Michigan School of 313-576-5111 or online at www. Music); Pamela Frank (concert detroitsymphony.com (student and The application deadline for the Sphinx violinist/professor of violin, group discounts are available). Performance Academy at Walnut Hill Curtis and Peabody Institutes of School is April 7, 2008. For information on Music), Diane Monroe (classi- Both concerts will feature the live auditions, please contact the Dean of cal and jazz violinist/member of Sphinx Symphony under the di- SPA, Chris Jenkins at [email protected]; the Uptown Quartet); Yizhak rection of Tito Muñoz, our Guest 313-877-9100, ext 711. Schotten (professor of viola, Conductor. Additionally, both University of Michigan School concerts will feature the Har- of Music) and Marcus Thompson lem Quartet, Sphinx’s premiere The Harlem Quartet, Sphinx’s premiere ensemble (professor of viola, MIT and New ensemble, as guest artists (Harlem co-managed with Sciolino Artist Management of England Conservatory of Music). Quartet is co-managed by Sciolino Artist Management of New York). New York, will be completing their second CD The Semi-Finals round, open to This acclaimed ensemble will through the White Pine Music label next Spring. the public, will take place on Janu- present an encore performance The ensemble will also appear in a showcase ary 24th, at Rackham Auditorium of “Delights and Dances” by presented by the Chamber Music America in on the campus of the University Michael Abels. The work saw its New York on January 6, 2008. For scheduling of Michigan, Ann Arbor. The New York premiere in September and booking information, please contact Sciolino Honors Concert, featuring the 2007 at Carnegie Hall, earning Artist Management at [email protected]; three top Junior Division Laure- rave reviews from The New York 212-721-9975. ates competing for final placement Times. It was commissioned by and performing with the Sphinx THE ASCAP FOUNDATION/ Symphony will take place on IRVING CAESAR FUND. Elena Urioste, our 2007 First Place Senior Friday, January 25th, at 12:00 pm th Division Laureate, will be appearing as a soloist noon. This exciting event will be The 11 annual Sphinx Competi- with the Colorado Symphony and Cleveland presented in partnership with the tion is sure to offer a compelling Orchestra during the month of January. Please University Musical Society and experience to our audiences. We made possible by GMAC Finan- thank Chase, our presenter, for see our calendar at www.sphinxmusic.org for cial Services. The Honors Concert its lead support of the Sphinx details. For booking information, please contact is free and open to the public, at- Competition as well as our New Sciolino Artist Management at marianne@samnyc. tracting over a thousand students York programming. We also thank us; 212-721-9975. from schools across the state of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Michigan. The week will culmi- our Finals host, for their important nate with the nationally-broadcast role in this event. For additional Robert Switala, our 2007 First Place Junior Finals Concert, featuring the three information about this concert Division Laureate will be appearing as a soloist top Senior Division Laureates and other exciting events in your with the Hartford Symphony during the month competing for their final place- area, call Sphinx at 313-877-9100 of January. Please see our calendar at www. ment, hosted by the Detroit or visit www.sphinxmusic.org. sphinxmusic.org for details. Symphony Orchestra, which will take place on Sunday, January 27th, at 2:00 pm. Tickets are currently Kaila Potts, our 2004 First Place Senior Division available through the Detroit Laureate, will be appearing as a soloist with the Santa Monica Symphony during the month of January. This will mark a debut performance by a Sphinx Competition Sphinx Laureate with the orchestra. FINALS CONCERT presented by Our Detroit and Flint, MI-based Overture Program is now accepting applications for the Winter semester. Space is limited! Contact our Director of Education and Youth Development, Leah Lucas at leah@ JANUARY 27 2008 sphinxmusic.org; 313-877-9100, ext 710. 2:00pm Orchestra Hall, Detroit 313-576-5111 See the top three www.sphinxmusic.org Senior Division Laureates Featuring the competing for S p h i n x S y m p h o n y $30,000 in prizes! Orchestra conducted by Tito Muñ oz

Special Guests the Harlem Quartet RESERVE NOW! TICKETS ONLY $12 Overture Students in Flint, MI CENTER STAGE Juan R. Ramírez-Hernández Mr. Ramirez was the recipient panels for DeKalb Council for the state of Georgia. In this issue of both the Serge Koussevitsky the Arts, the Fulton County Arts of The Quarter Note, we are proud and Leonard Bernstein Awards, Council, Georgia Council for the to recognize the concertmaster and a prize-winning violinist at Arts, the National Endowment of the 2008 Sphinx Symphony the Berkshire Music Festival. for the Arts, and others. He has Orchestra, Juan Ramírez. The distinguished composer- served on the advisory boards conductor Gunther Schuller says of the New World Symphony, of Ramírez: “I have unqualified the Chicago Civic Symphony faith in Mr. Ramírez as a violin- Orchestra, and the Sphinx Q &A ist and a musical leader of great Organization. He served on the Q. Can you name one of artistic integrity ...Whatever he jury of the Sphinx Competition the nation’s foremost musi- undertakes is touched by qual- and the 2002 Classical Nomina- cologists with over 1,000 pub- ity...” Presently, Mr. Ramirez also tions Review Committee for the lications published in the U.S., conducts the Atlanta Com- Grammy Awards of the National Austria, Germany, Italy, France munity Symphony Orchestra. Academy of Recording Arts and England, and beyond? uan R. Ramírez-Hernández, Sciences in Santa Monica, CA. Jviolinist/composer, member Mr. Ramírez also plays the guitar, of the Atlanta Symphony and mandolin and marimba, and Mr. Ramírez founded the Buck- A. In this issue of The Quar- founder of the Atlanta Virtuosi as a composer is noted for his head Youth Orchestra in 2000, tet Note, we are proud to honor Foundation will join us again this compositions and arrangements and serves as its Artistic Direc- Dr. Dominique Rene de Lerma, year as the concertmaster of the commissioned by the Hispanic tor and Conductor. Mr. Ramírez musicologist and oboist, former Sphinx Symphony Orchestra. Festival of the Arts. Influenced by was awarded the Martin Luther Director of the Center for Black His studies with Henryk Szeryng his native land, “Suite Huasteca” King, Jr., César Chávez, Rosa Music Research In Chicago, IL, began at the age of fourteen, for violin, strings, and guitar, Parks Visiting Professorship as as well as former faculty at the and continued as he became received critical acclaim both well as the honor of a Presiden- Lawrence University, Indiana his principal mentor in Mexico, in Atlanta and in Mexico. His tial Scholar at the University University, University of Miami, the U.S. and Europe. While compositions include “Anahuac” of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Northwestern University, and in Boston attending the New for tenor, soprano, winds, strings, others. He has been engaged in England Conservatory of Music, guitar, harpsichord and pre-Co- Mr. Ramírez founded the At- university teaching since 1951, Mr. Ramírez was privileged to lombian percussion, commissioned lanta Virtuosi Foundation, Inc. when, not yet having been ac- study with Joseph Silverstein. As in 1993 by the ACOG – Cultural Music for Success!, an educa- corded his B.M. degree in music an orchestral musician, he has Olympiad as part of ¡MEXICO! tional program in partnership theory, he became the youngest played under Leonard Bernstein, A Cultural Tapestry, and “Suite with metro Atlanta educational member ever of the University Leon Barzin, Gunther Schuller Criolla” for chorus, narrator and institutions. This organization of Miami’s faculty. Dr. De Lerma and Seiji Ozawa. Service in the orchestra, with tenor and soprano encourages and supports artistic is one of the chief advisors to Boston and Pittsburgh Sympho- solo, premiered in 1995 at the creativity for young elementary the Sphinx Organization and nies preceded his acceptance of Hispanic Festival of the Arts. His and middle schools children of regularly serves as a consultant a permanent position with the composition, “Navidad Hispana” many backgrounds and to receive to orchestras, ensembles and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. for solo guitar and orchestra, was instrumental and orchestral string concert artists in the United recently premiered by the Atlanta training by professional musicians. States and Europe. Prior to his residence in the Symphony Orchestra. His first United States, Mr. Ramírez string quartet “Suite Latina” was Mr. Ramírez was nominated and toured Israel, Europe and the commissioned by the Amelia awarded the 2006 Governor’s Orient with the Ballet Folklorico Chamber Music Festival in 2001. Award in the Humanities in of Mexico, and was a mem- recognition of exemplary achieve- ber of the Xalapa Symphony, Mr. Ramírez has been a member ments that fostered an under- National University Symphony, of the faculties of Georgia State standing of cultural traditions and the Opera Orchestra and the University and Spellman College, values for strengthened commu-

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