15th Annual SPHINX COMPETITION for young Black and Latino string players Presented by Sphinx Symphony Orchestra YEARBOOK 2012 BUILDING DIVERSITY IN CLASSICAL MUSIC SINCE Additional Support Provided by 1997 Pickard Family Fund GET IN TUNE! SPHINX 15 Sphinx Symphony Orchestra 2012 Maestro Michael Morgan The Bauder Conductor’s Chair Sphinx Symphony Orchestra is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. Musical Chairs Listings as of February 3, 2012 Leslie DeShazor Adams Viola New Detroit, Inc. Chair Happy Birthday to my wonderful Davin and Happy Birthyear to my beautiful Elora! Beverly Baker Viola, Principal Melanye K. Johnson Chair In 1963 when I started taking violin lessons, I did not see anybody that looked like me. Was this something a little black girl from Virginia was supposed to do? It warms my heart to see what has transpired in the music world since then. I would encourage all Sphinx musicians to follow your dreams and stay the course. Realize that the impact you have in the classical music world will be felt for years to come. Even though I did not see them, there were musicians who paved the way for me to accomplish the things I have in my career. You have the same responsibility now for those little upcoming musicians in the future! Maurice Belle Bass Akilah Bryant Flute In Honor of Penny Fischer Chair “Music is nothing separate from me. It is me. You’d have to remove the music surgically.” - Ray Charles Landres Bryant Tuba David Burnett Violin II In Honor of Joia Merriweather in memory of Joe Merriweather, Jr. Chair “After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.” - Aldous Huxley Thank you Sphinx, for allowing us to express the inexpressible! Douglas Cardwell Timpani, Principal The SSO, an orchestra unlike any other in the world; I am proud to “belong”. It is a pleasure to create music with these fi ne musicians. It’s also a privilege to bring new depth to the symphonic world, unity enhanced by diversity. Like the energy of the universe always expanding, it is benefi cial when orchestral music does the same in rich assortment. I’m grateful to be included in such an organization. Dennis Carter Flute, Principal Deidre Bounds Chair Leah Lucas Celebi Viola Let’s Hear It For My Boys Lydia Cleaver Harp “To music noble art, we bow in adoration...for thy excelling gifts.” All of the talent, skill and knowledge that I may possess as a musician and educator, are dedicated to the beautiful students of Detroit’s Cass Technical High School Music Department. They are truly deserving of the enlightenment that comes through exposure to the art of music. Jonathan Colbert Bass Damon Coleman Cello Duane, Juliana & Drake Brown Chair “You know what’s the loudest noise in the world, man? The loudest noise in the world is silence.” ~Thelonious Monk Valeria Cortes Violin II “The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.’’ - Michelangelo Maureen Conlon Dorosh Violin II Patricia M. Garcia & Dennis A. Dahlmann Chair “It’s easy to play any musical instrument: all you have to do is touch the right key at the right time and the instrument will play itself.” - J.S. Bach “I’ve never known a musician who regretted being one. Whatever deceptions life may have in store for you, music itself is not going to let you down.” - Virgil Thompson (American composer) “Nothing is as important as passion. No matter what you want to do with your life, be passionate.” - Jon Bon Jovi “Walk with purpose” - Andre Dowell (Sphinx Artistic Administrator Shawn Edmonds Trumpet Isabel Escalante Violin II Gary M. Giardina & Dr. Eric Ayers Chair “A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams” Nothing is closer to the truth than this. SO, don’t spend your life thinking of what you could or should have done; enjoy living each moment to the fullest since today, is tomorrow’s yesterday Jim Ferraiuolo Oboe Kudos to Aaron Dworkin, Afa Sadykhly Dworkin and the staff of The Sphinx Organization for your tireless efforts in changing the complexion of classical music, not only here in The United States but also abroad. It has been a joy to take part in this venture the last few seasons. I have had the pleasure of playing alongside so many fi ne players and conductors such as Paul Freeman, Chelsea Tipton, Kay George Roberts,Tito Munoz, Damon Gupton,Anthony Elliott and Michael Morgan. I have developed some wonderful and long lasting friendships during my time with Sphinx. I look forward to seeing old colleagues and sharing the stage and meals with them this year. I wish you continued success in promoting cultural diversity in classical music. Langston Fitzgerald Trumpet, Principal Tamara Gonzalez Violin II This is my second year playing with the Sphinx Festival Orchestra and I look forward to many more years with the ensemble. Last year I experienced camaraderie and inspiration from all of those involved in this wonderful organization. I really appreciate the opportunity for both music-making and fellowship. Sheena Gutierrez Violin II Keith & Renata Ward Family Fund Chair “Passion, confi dence, and vulnerability are evidence of musical talent. If music were not in our blood, we wouldn’t have such strong feelings...Each person’s talent is unique, and some are more gifted than others, but an intense desire to play well indicates that music is already inside the person, pressing toward the surface and needing to come out. Know this, and take heart from it as you make your particular journey with music.” -Madeline Bruser in The Art of Practicing Bryan Hernandez-Luch Violin, Concertmaster Maxine & Stuart Frankel Foundation for Art Chair My thanks to Aaron and Afa for helping my experience with Sphinx be so positive and encouraging throughout the years. Not only have I met many friends and new colleagues since my fi rst year in the competition, I feel that my musical voice has been heard and continues to be heard as a direct result of my own involvement in the organization. Thank you to all who continue to be of support, not only to me, but to each other. Cheers to the beginnings of SPA and the many other programs that I’ve had the chance to be a part of. Here’s to CJenk, J-rod, Gareth, Carl, Shelby, Karlos, Karla, SPA faculties and the Virtuosi. Mariana Green-Hill Violin I In Honor of Sam Ash Chair I am so humbled to know where I came from…I am not yet where I wish to be But I thank God that I am not where I once was. I am happy to say that now I am a woman striving to seek God’s face in all that I do. After years of trying to fi gure out who I am, I have come to understand that who I am is not married to what I do. I have come to understand that I cannot please everyone all the time and that I can do nothing without God, for he alone gives me comfort, joy and peace beyond understanding. I also know that giving of one’s self requires time to surrender and rest in one that is greater than you for renewal and strength. I am so glad to know that God holds my world in his hands. Tami Lee Hughes Violin I In Honor of Reggie Van Lee Chair David Jackson Trombone, Principal Geoffrey Johnson Oboe, Principal Gilbert S. Omenn & Martha Darling Chair Charles Larkins Trumpet Carl & Charlene Herstein Chair A note to let each of you know that you have helped to make the Sphinx experience one of the most important and meaningful in my fi fty-year music career. Thanks for the wonderful music and camaraderie. “Work like you don’t need the money, love like you’ve never been hurt, and dance like no one is watching.” ~ Satchel Paige Gwen Laster Violin I In honor of Kathleen McCree Lewis Chair “Let yourself be silently drawn by the stronger pull of what you truly love.” - Rumi Otis Lockhart Trombone Marta Manildi & Paul Courant Chair Bass/ Tenor Trombonist for the SSO for eight or more seasons so far. My quote of encouragement is; Always strive for the highest in all that you do. The time spent working with the Sphinx Organization, has been some of the most rewarding and unique experiences that I have ever had. Meeting and working with some of the best Black and Latino orchestral musicians in the country, has been a great joy in my life. I look forward to doing whatever I can to make it better in the future. Lori Lovato Clarinet, Principal In Honor of Ricardo Morales Chair John Madison Viola Glenda D. Price Chair Burt Mason Trombone Dear Sphinx family, continue to make music breathe and full of life. I wish you all the continued success for the future. Robin Massie Viola I am honored to join the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra, celebrating diversity in musical performance. Congratulations to this year’s fi nalists! In the words of Kayne West: “I get my hymns from Him, so it’s not me, it’s He that’s lyrical ... My rhythmatic regimen navigates melodic notes for your soul and your mental / That’s why I’m instrumental...” Derek Menchan Cello Robin H. Sowell, In Memory of Myzell Sowell Chair Nermis Mieses English Horn Jessie Montgomery Violin I Malesa & Charles Plater Chair Lisa Muci Violin II Janice C.