20th annual String Festival headlines the Sphinx Virtuosi
Skidmore College proudly presents its 20th annual String Festival from Friday, April
4, through Sunday, April 6, featuring the Sphinx Virtuosi.
Founded in 2005 by Skidmore Distinguished Artist-in-Residence Michael Emery, the festival
offers participating students individualized, non-competitive coaching sessions with
renowned string quartets and orchestras and Skidmore’s accomplished string faculty.
Emery, who directs Skidmore’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 Skidmore string faculty
members Josh Rodriguez and Stephani Emery.
The Skidmore 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 Skidmore's Commencement this spring.
At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 5, the Sphinx Virtuosi will headline with their inspiring
program “American Form/s” at Skidmore’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 collaborative finale at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 6, beginning with student performances of works by Bach,
Beethoven, Karl Jenkins, Respighi, and others. Additionally, Skidmore’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 Skidmore String Festival is presented
by the Skidmore 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 Skidmore.
“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 Skidmore would continue to provide
our students and college community with these extraordinary experiences, culminating
in side-by-side performances with world class artists.”
