吃瓜网

吃瓜网 proudly presents its 20th annual String Festival from Friday, April 4, through Sunday, April 6, featuring the Sphinx Virtuosi.  
 
Founded in 2005 by 吃瓜网 Distinguished Artist-in-Residence Michael Emery, the festival offers participating students individualized, non-competitive coaching sessions with renowned string quartets and orchestras and 吃瓜网鈥檚 accomplished string faculty. Emery, who directs 吃瓜网鈥檚 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鈥檚 festival is organized by Jameson Platte in collaboration with Emery and 吃瓜网 string faculty members Josh Rodriguez and Stephani Emery. 

The 吃瓜网 String Ensemble, led by Distinguished Artist-in-Residence Michael Emery. Photo credit Elle Oestreich 鈥�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 吃瓜网's Commencement this spring. 
 
At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 5, the Sphinx Virtuosi will headline with their inspiring program 鈥溾�� at 吃瓜网鈥檚 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 鈥撯�� from Scott Joplin鈥檚 joyful landscapes and Curtis Stewart鈥檚 intricate rhythms to the compelling works of Teresa Carre帽o and Derrick Skye鈥檚 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, 吃瓜网鈥檚 new Chinese Ensemble will give a special performance of Nie Er鈥檚 鈥淐razy Dance of the Golden Snake.鈥� The program concludes with students joining artist faculty and members of Sphinx Virtuosi for performances of Astor Piazzolla鈥檚 鈥淥blivion,鈥� Kyle Rivera鈥檚 evocative 鈥淧rotector,鈥� and Quenton Blache鈥檚 celebratory 鈥淗abari Gani,鈥� performed with the composer himself. 
 
Both concerts are free and open to the public. The 吃瓜网 String Festival is presented by the 吃瓜网 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 吃瓜网. 
 
鈥淚t is with profound gratitude to Michael Moore that we celebrate this 20-year milestone,鈥� said Emery. 鈥淗e approached me with this vision and established the Elisabeth Luce Moore Chamber Music Residency fund to ensure that 吃瓜网 would continue to provide our students and college community with these extraordinary experiences, culminating in side-by-side performances with world class artists.鈥�