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20th annual String Festival headlines the Sphinx Virtuosi

March 28, 2025

ߣƵ proudly presents its 20th annual String Festival from Friday, April 4, through Sunday, April 6, featuring the Sphinx Virtuosi.  
 
Founded in 2005 by ߣƵ Distinguished Artist-in-Residence Michael Emery, the festival offers participating students individualized, non-competitive coaching sessions with renowned string quartets and orchestras and ߣƵ’s accomplished string faculty. Emery, who directs ߣƵ’s string program, has cultivated a tradition of musical excellence that includes past residencies by acclaimed quartets such as Brentano, Manhattan, American, Ying, Talich, Meccore, Dover, and Pacifica. This year’s festival is organized by Jameson Platte in collaboration with Emery and ߣƵ string faculty members Josh Rodriguez and Stephani Emery. 

The ߣƵ String Ensemble perform on stage, wearing all black

The ߣƵ String Ensemble, led by Distinguished Artist-in-Residence Michael Emery. Photo credit Elle Oestreich ’25.


 The Sphinx Virtuosi, a self-conducted chamber orchestra composed of 18 outstanding Black and Latino musicians, serves as the flagship performing ensemble of the Sphinx Organization, a leading nonprofit dedicated to transforming lives through the arts. Known for artistic excellence, groundbreaking programming, and meaningful community engagement, the ensemble acts as cultural ambassadors, captivating audiences nationwide and abroad. Aaron Dworkin, founder of the Sphinx Organization, will speak at ߣƵ's Commencement this spring. 
 
At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 5, the Sphinx Virtuosi will headline with their inspiring program “” at ߣƵ’s Helen Filene Ladd Concert Hall in the Arthur Zankel Music Center. The performance weaves an eclectic musical tapestry, taking audiences on a journey through classically framed infusions of soul, bluegrass, jazz, blues, and elements of rag –– from Scott Joplin’s joyful landscapes and Curtis Stewart’s intricate rhythms to the compelling works of Teresa Carreño and Derrick Skye’s global influences. Percussionist Josh Jones will join as a special guest. 
 
The festival culminates in a at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 6, beginning with student performances of works by Bach, Beethoven, Karl Jenkins, Respighi, and others. Additionally, ߣƵ’s new Chinese Ensemble will give a special performance of Nie Er’s “Crazy Dance of the Golden Snake.” The program concludes with students joining artist faculty and members of Sphinx Virtuosi for performances of Astor Piazzolla’s “Oblivion,” Kyle Rivera’s evocative “Protector,” and Quenton Blache’s celebratory “Habari Gani,” performed with the composer himself. 
 
Both concerts are free and open to the public. The ߣƵ String Festival is presented by the ߣƵ Department of Music and generously supported by the Elisabeth Luce Moore Chamber Music Residency, designed to annually bring premier chamber musicians to campus. The Elisabeth Luce Moore Chamber Music Residency was established in 2005 by Michael Moore, who taught classics at ߣƵ. 
 
“It is with profound gratitude to Michael Moore that we celebrate this 20-year milestone,” said Emery. “He approached me with this vision and established the Elisabeth Luce Moore Chamber Music Residency fund to ensure that ߣƵ would continue to provide our students and college community with these extraordinary experiences, culminating in side-by-side performances with world class artists.” 

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