MSO and GPAC Present Sphinx Orchestra and Harlem Quartet
2/28/08
MSO and GPAC Present Sphinx Orchestra and Harlem Quartet
An unusual partnership between the Memphis Symphony Orchestra (MSO) and the Germantown Performing Arts Centre (GPAC) will bring the Sphinx Orchestra and Harlem Quartet to the Memphis area.
Fifteen ensembles from the orchestra and quartet will visit schools throughout the Memphis area on October 6 and perform a special concert at GPAC on October 7 at 7 p.m.
The Sphinx Orchestra is a dynamic ensemble, made up of young black and Hispanic classical musicians all winners of the national Sphinx talent competition. The orchestra is sponsored by the Sphinx Organization, which has worked since 1996 to overcome the cultural stereotype of classical music, and encourage the participation of blacks and Latinos. Most of the Sphinx Orchestra alumni now have solo careers or perform with symphony orchestras around the country.
Comprised of all First Place Laureates of the Sphinx Competition, the Harlem Quartet is an ensemble whose mission is to engage young and new audiences and to advance diversity in classical music. The quartet made their Carnegie Hall debut in October 2006 and debuted at the Apollo Theater in New York the following month.
The concert is one the Memphis Symphony and its Sunday home, GPAC, hopes will inspire Memphis and Germantown audiences.
"This will be the first opportunity for any audience outside of a city like Detroit or New York to hear an exceptional orchestra which happens to be made up entirely of African American and Latino musicians," said Ryan Fleur, president and CEO of the Memphis Orchestral Society, parent organization of the MSO. "The Memphis Symphony does not produce any concerts except those we perform --- but this was too good to pass up."
"Joining the Memphis Symphony for this project seemed a natural choice. We share a commitment to artistic excellence and diversity, so this was a chance for us to serve a number of our goals at once" said Tania Castroverde Moskalenko, executive director of GPAC.
As a Cuban-American who arrived in the U.S. at the age of seven, Castroverde Moskalenko understands first-hand the impact that the arts can have in the life of Hispanic students. "It's a project that hit close to my heart," said Castroverde Moskalenko.
"Most exciting," Fleur said, "is the chance for students to attend master classes with these young musicians and hear them perform in their schools. All public and private schools are welcome to apply to the symphony and have a Sphinx ensemble visit." One of the first visits will be to Soulsville Academy, one of the MSO's community partners.
"This partnership gives GPAC and the Memphis Symphony the opportunity to make these young artists available to youngsters throughout our community. They are role models; examples of what is possible," said Castroverde Moskalenko.
Ticket prices - and where audiences can buy them - will be announced in the fall.
