SHCS’s 60th season opens with the pioneering Sphinx Virtuosi, an 18-member self-conducted string orchestra and flagship ensemble of the Sphinx Organization. With “immeasurable power, unwavering command, and soulful beauty” (The Washington Post) these masterful players make their Baltimore debut with a program devoted to peace and the resilience of the human spirit. Acclaimed young cellist Sterling Elliott joins as soloist for American composer’s William Grant Still’s Suite, inspired by Harlem Renaissance sculptures.

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Sphinx Virtuosi (Baltimore Debut) Sterling Elliott, cello

Johns Hopkins University

Celebrate the mixed tapestry of 20th-century American music with a stunning concert featuring works by Gershwin, Bernstein, and John Carter woven alongside the rich contributions of Black composers: Quenton Blache, Regina Harris Baiocchi, Nkeiru Okoye, Omar Thomas, and James Lee III. This program shines with the brilliance of Met Opera star and internationally acclaimed soprano Angela Brown, whose powerful voice and artistry bring these timeless pieces to life. 

American Song

King Street corner of the Capitol Square

This conductorless chamber orchestra comprised of talented young musicians brings to life a rich program of works by Franz Schreker, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, and LA-based composer Quenton Blanche. The concert will also feature a dazzling performance by cellist and Music Academy Concerto Competition winner Angela Rose Padula.

Academy Virtuosi

Colburn School

The Sphinx Virtuosi is a dynamic and inspiring professional self-conducted chamber orchestra that serves as the flagship performing entity of the Sphinx Organization – the leading social justice non-profit dedicated to transforming lives through the power of diversity in the arts. Comprising 18 accomplished Black and Latinx artists, the Sphinx Virtuosi are evolving and transforming the face of classical music through artistic excellence, pioneering programming, and impassioned community engagement.

Sphinx Virtuosi

Shermerhorn Symphony Center

The Sphinx Virtuosi is a dynamic and inspiring professional self-conducted chamber orchestra that serves as the flagship performing entity of the Sphinx Organization – the leading social justice non-profit dedicated to transforming lives through the power of diversity in the arts. Comprising 18 accomplished Black and Latinx artists, the Sphinx Virtuosi are evolving and transforming the face of classical music through artistic excellence, pioneering programming, and impassioned community engagement. 

Experience the groundbreaking artistry of Sphinx Virtuosi, an extension of the renowned Sphinx Organization committed to amplifying Black and Latinx voices in classical music. Set against the opulent backdrop of The Breakers, the self-conducted chamber orchestra delivers a pioneering program spotlighting historically marginalized composers. With cellist Thomas Mesa joining their ranks as soloist for Jessie Montgomery’s Divided, prepare to be moved to your core by the sheer brilliance and passion of this 18-piece ensemble, delivering a performance that will leave you breathless.

Opening Night with Sphinx Virtuosi

The Breakers Newport

Founded in 1997 in Detroit, but with nationwide reach, the Sphinx Virtuosi is a dynamic and inspiring professional self-conducted chamber orchestra and serves as the flagship performing entity of the Sphinx Organization—the leading social justice non-profit dedicated to transforming lives through the power of diversity in the arts. Comprised primarily of Black and Latinx artists, a critical aim of the Sphinx Virtuosi is to evolve and transform the face of classical music through artistic excellence, pioneering programming, and impassioned community engagement. Its members serve as cultural and diversity ambassadors for audiences and communities around the United States during national tours, and perform annually at Carnegie Hall where The New York Times has praised the group as “…top-notch…more essential at this moment than ever…a vibrant, assured performance.”

Lobero Theatre

Founded in 1997 in Detroit, but with nationwide reach, the Sphinx Virtuosi is a dynamic and inspiring professional self-conducted chamber orchestra and serves as the flagship performing entity of the Sphinx Organization—the leading social justice non-profit dedicated to transforming lives through the power of diversity in the arts. Comprised primarily of Black and Latinx artists, a critical aim of the Sphinx Virtuosi is to evolve and transform the face of classical music through artistic excellence, pioneering programming, and impassioned community engagement. Its members serve as cultural and diversity ambassadors for audiences and communities around the United States during national tours, and perform annually at Carnegie Hall where The New York Times has praised the group as “…top-notch…more essential
at this moment than ever…a vibrant, assured performance.”

Sphinx Virtuosi is a dynamic and inspiring professional self-conducted chamber orchestra and serves as the flagship performing entity of the Sphinx Organization – the leading social justice non-profit dedicated to transforming lives through the power of diversity in the arts. Comprised of eighteen accomplished Black and Latinx artists, a critical aim of the Sphinx Virtuosi is to evolve and transform the face of classical music through artistic excellence, pioneering programming, and impassioned community engagement.

Stanford University

Brilliant chamber orchestra of young Black and Latinx string players in a program entitled "Generations"

Washington Irving Campus

The Sphinx Virtuosi is an exemplary chamber orchestra and the “flagship performing entity” of the Sphinx Organization. They pair time-tested string music—both enduringly popular and underperformed—with music by some of today’s most compelling composers. Hear New York premieres by the prolific Javier Farías; and bassist, composer, and 2014 Sphinx Competition winner Xavier Foley. Two of the 20th century’s great composers are represented in a fusion of Bachian and Brazilian-folk styles by Villa-Lobos; and a bustling movement from Perkinson’s Sinfonietta No. 2. Also featured are spirited, original songs by cellist and singer Abel Selaocoe, who performs with the ensemble.

Carnegie Hall

Inspired by the poetry of Langston Hughes and Julia Alvarez, Sphinx Virtuosi brings you a program showcasing the beauty and tradition of excellence inherent in classical music created and performed by Black and Latinx composers for many generations. Together, SV seeks to uplift spirits through sharing the sounds that inspire us and transcend the boundaries of time, history, and struggle. Comprising 18 of the nation’s top Black and Latinx classical soloists, the Sphinx Virtuosi present a program inspired by present day events and the vibrant gifts of the past that we cherish today.

Sphinx Virtuosi w/ Xavier Foley, double bass

Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts

In a unique convergence of musical voices, this program beckons us into a realm where music becomes an emissary of peace and unity. On this journey, we hope to lift every voice and remember our complex history while looking toward our shared journey toward a brighter tomorrow. We explore peace while remembering the conflict of past and present and recognizing the repeated history and the resilience of the human spirit. From William Grant Still, celebrated as the “Dean of African American Composers,” to José White's stirring Cuban melodies, every note resonates with our collective aspirations for harmony and understanding without borders. This is a collection of new voices, those that have already shaped our canon and those that we hope will continue to be celebrated long after our time together. As Alberto Ginastera's Concerto for Strings takes us toward a triumphant crescendo, you will join us in a jubilant celebration of the human spirit's indomitable resilience and our unwavering commitment to the pursuit of peace. We reflect on themes of war, anguish, and loss through Ruben Rengel's setting of Prokofiev's "Stalingrad" Sonata. Jessie Montgomery's music helps us transcend boundaries and borders, while our vision for shared humanity is brought together through Quenton Blache's title composition.

Sphinx Virtuosi with Randall Goosby

Segerstrom Center for the Arts

The Sphinx Virtuosi, a dynamic self-conducted chamber orchestra comprised of 18 accomplished Black and Latinx artists, returns to CAMA with a program titled Visions of Peace. Featuring acclaimed violinist Randall Goosby, the concert explores themes of resilience, peace, and shared humanity through a diverse range of musical voices. The Sphinx Virtuosi are celebrated for their “immeasurable power, unwavering command, and soulful beauty” (The Washington Post) and their commitment to transforming lives through the power of diversity in the arts.

Quenton Blache

Events

Upcoming events

Mar 11, 2026

Sphinx Virtuosi with Randall Goosby · Philharmonic Society of Orange County

Mar 12, 2026

Sphinx Virtuosi · CAMA

Mar 12, 2026

Sphinx Virtuosi · Lobero Theatre

Past events

Oct 19, 2025

Sphinx Virtuosi (Baltimore Debut) Sterling Elliott, cello · Shriver Hall Concert Series

Jul 9, 2025

American Song · Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra

About

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