2016-17 UMS LEARNING GUIDE Sphinx Competition HONORS CONCERT 16 BE PRESENT 17 BE PRESENT 1 Table of Contents 04 05 06 22 ATTEND THE DETAILS LEARN CONNECT 07 Why? 23 Being an Audience Member 09 Artist 26 Arts Online 14 Art Form 28 Writing About Live Performance 19 Performance 31 About UMS 33 Credits and Sponsors february 10 UMS SCHOOL DAY PERFORMANCE Sphinx Competition HONORS CONCERT Friday, February 10, 2017 // 12 pm Orchestra Hall, Detroit, MI BE PRESENT 3 Attend Coming to your E-mail Inbox! Map and Driving Directions Logistical Details (drop-off/pick-up locations) Venue Information UMS.ORG / 734.615.0122 BE PRESENT 4 The Details VENUE ADDRESS ACCESSIBILITY Orchestra Hall, 3711 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201 We aim to maximize accessibility at our performances and below are details regarding this performance’s points of accessibility. If you have further EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBER question contacts dso.org/ContactUs.aspx or call 313-576-5100. 313-576-5111 (box office) The following services are available to audience members: • Wheelchair, companion, or other special seating ARRIVAL TIME • Courtesy wheelchairs Friday Concert: Between 11:30-11:50 P.M. • Hearing Assistance Devices Sunday Concert: Between 1:30-1:50 P.M. PARKING TICKETS Parking is available for $7 in the Orchestra Place Parking Structure located on We do not use paper tickets for the Honors Concert. We hold school Parsons just south of the Max M. Fisher Center. Handicap parking is available. reservations at the door and seat groups upon arrival. BATHROOMS The Finals Concert is ticketed through the DSO. Click here to purchase tickets. Compliant, barrier-free toilets are available in all areas of the Fisher Center. FOOD ENTRY No food or drinks (including school lunches) are allowed in the theater. The center is equipped with powered front doors. BE PRESENT 5 Learn Sphinx Competition Honors Concert UMS.ORG / 734.615.0122 BE PRESENT 6 LEARN Why? UMS EDUCATION ARTISTIC STATEMENT The Sphinx Organization is the Detroit-based national organization dedicated to while an undergraduate student at the University of Michigan, to address the stark transforming lives through the power of diversity in the arts. Led by Afa S. Dworkin, under-representation of people of color in classical music. President Obama’s first its President and Artistic Director, Sphinx programs reach over 100,000 students, appointment to the National Council on the Arts, Aaron P. Dworkin currently serves as well as live and broadcast audiences of over two million annually. Afa Dworkin’s as dean of the University of Michigan’s School of Music, Theatre & Dance. work as the organization’s long time Artistic Director, and now President, has been recognized globally. She was named one of the 30 Most Influential People In telling the Sphinx story, Aaron Dworkin stresses the importance of diversity in by Musical America, Detroit’s “40 Under 40” by Crain’s Detroit Business, in addition the arts, “The ability to express oneself—to share one’s culture and identity with to being a frequent speaker on the importance of inclusion and music education at others—is paramount to a civil society, and so we train that ability in young people. conferences nationwide and abroad, including the League of American Orchestras, If this incredible art form doesn’t reflect the full mosaic of who we are as a nation, Chamber Music America, Americans for the Arts, International Arts and Ideas then not only are those communities diminished, but our entire society is.” Festival and beyond. Ms. Dworkin also serves as faculty for Roosevelt University’s Master’s Program in Performing Arts Administration. UMS and Sphinx are thrilled to present these brilliant young musicians on the basis of both their extraordinary musicianship and the importance of the Sphinx vision. The organization’s founding and mission were informed by the life experiences of Aaron Dworkin, who, as a young Black violinist, was acutely aware of the lack of diversity both on stage and in the audience in concert halls. He founded Sphinx BE PRESENT 7 LEARN Why? ONLINE: CONNECTING TO SPHINX Watch this video to learn more about the history, progress, and mission of the Sphinx Organization. BE PRESENT 8 LEARN Artist SPHINX COMPETITION: FIVE THINGS TO KNOW 01 The 2017 competition finalists are chosen based on the excellence they display during a rigorous selection process. First, applicants from all over the country send in recorded auditions. Candidates compete in one of two age categories, the junior division (under 18) or the senior division (18 to 30). Judges choose 9 musicians from each category to play in a live semi-final round. In the last round, three finalists from each group will perform with the Sphinx Symphony, an orchestra made up of Black and Latino musicians, as they compete for the grand prize. 02 03 04 05 Sphinx chooses competition Evaluating artistic achievement The senior division finalists The Sphinx Organization is more repertoire to showcase the is a difficult and delicate process; compete for a $50,000 prize than just a competition. It also performers’ technical proficiency the judges for each phase of the and the junior division finalists offers educational programs that and musical creativity. The pieces competition use their knowledge compete for a $10,000 prize. have reached more than 30,000 are of similar difficulty, making it as accomplished teachers and young people across the country. easier to compare performances performers to choose a winner. In addition, the Sphinx Global across the different instruments— Learn more about the judges on Scholars initiative brings the violin, viola, cello, and bass. This the Sphinx Website. organization’s vision of diversity year’s repertoire will include: to 15 countries. Click here to see this year’s junior and senior division repertoire. BE PRESENT 9 LEARN Artist GETTING TO KNOW FOUNDER: AARON DWORKIN Named a 2005 MacArthur Fellow, a Member Uncommon Rhythm, an autobiographical poetry of President Obama’s National Arts Policy collection entitled They Said I Wasn’t Really Committee, and Mr. Obama’s first nominee Black, and the children’s book The 1st Adventure to the National Council on the Arts, Aaron P. of Chilli Pepperz. A passionate advocate for Dworkin serves as dean of the University of excellence in music education and diversity in Michigan’s School of Music, Theatre & Dance, the performing arts, Mr. Dworkin serves regularly which is ranked among the top performing as a panelist on influential arts committees arts schools in the nation. Mr. Dworkin is such as Independent Sector’s Advisory Group, the Founder and President of the Sphinx the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Organization. Affairs, the MetLife Awards for Excellence in Community Engagement, the National An author, social entrepreneur, artist-citizen, Assembly of State Arts Agencies, the National and avid youth education advocate, he has Association of Arts Presenters, Chamber Music received extensive national recognition for his America, The National Endowment for the Arts, vast accomplishments. He has been featured Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, in People Magazine, on NBC’s Today Show Surdna Foundation Arts Teachers Fellowship and Nightly News with Brian Williams, and Program, and others. Mr. Dworkin has been named one of Newsweek’s “15 People Who a keynote speaker and lecturer at numerous Make America Great”. He is the recipient of the national service organizations and conferences National Governor’s Association Distinguished including The Aspen Ideas Festival and Service to State Government Award, the Detroit Chautauqua. A lifelong musician, Mr. Dworkin is Symphony’s Lifetime Achievement Award, an accomplished acoustic and electric violinist Michiganian of the Year (2003), Crain’s 40 and a spoken-word and visual artist. He also Under 40, BET’s History Makers in the Making has strong interests in politics, world history, Award, and the AT&T Excellence in Education and issues of economic and social justice, and Award. Mr. Dworkin authored the memoir enjoys travel and culinary arts. BE PRESENT 10 LEARN Artist GETTING TO KNOW PRESIDENT AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR: AFA SADYKHLY DWORKIN Ms. Dworkin has worked with the panel, as well as the MetLife Awards Sphinx Organization since 1999. In her administered by The League of American current role, she handles oversight and Orchestras, National Endowment for programmatic design of all artistic and the Arts, as well as Charlotte Arts and educational affairs, in addition to all Sciences Council grants, Independent fundraising for the organization. She has Sector’s American Express NGen appeared as a speaker and presenter awards, Florida and Oklahoma State Arts at national conferences, including Council grants, and Atlanta Symphony’s Chamber Music America (opening Talent Development Program juries. address), the National Association Ms. Dworkin is a trustee for the Detroit for Schools of Music, the League of Symphony, member of the Advisory American Orchestras, ICSOM, Americans Committee for the Ben Holt Memorial for the Arts, University of Michigan’s Recital Series hosted by Lawrence MLK panel discussion, Bowling Green University Conservatory of Music, as University, Central Michigan University, well as formerly the Board of Trustees Lorraine College Signature Artist Series, of Walnut Hill School for the Arts (the San Francisco Symphony’s National premiere arts preparatory high school). Orchestral Forum, and various media Currently, she serves as a Trustee for outlets, including