Date: October 11, 2010
Contact: hpac@andrews.edu
Website:
Phone: 269-471-3560

The Sphinx Chamber Orchestra (SCO) alongside the Harlem Quartet and Elena Urioste will fill the Howard Performing Arts Center with their classical sounds at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010, as part of the Howard Center Presents...for the 2010–2011 season.
           
The SCO is a unique branch of the Sphinx Organization, a national non-profit founded in 1996 by violinist Aaron P. Dworkin. Composed of top alumni of the national Sphinx Competition for young Black and Latino string players, the SCO’s mission is to increase the participation of young adults in music schools, encourage youth development through music education and promote the creation, performance and preservation of works by Black and Latino composers. In its 14-year history, Sphinx has impacted over 65,000 students in 175 schools nationwide and annually reached some two million individuals through national broadcasts on PBS and National Public Radio.
           
The ensemble will offer a diverse repertoire by Sibelius, Prokofiev and Mendelssohn, including Sinfonia (String Symphony) for string orchestra No. 7 in D minor and Andante Festivo. The concert will also feature violinist Elena Urioste, who was recently selected by Symphony magazine as an emerging artist to watch, and the Harlem Quartet, comprised of the principal chairs of the SCO. Urioste is famous for her rich tone and commanding stage presence. When she was just 13, she made her debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra as winner of the Greenfield Competition. She has also appeared as soloist with major orchestras throughout the United States and was titled first-place laureate in both the Junior and Senior divisions of the Sphinx Competition, among other honors.
           
The Harlem Quartet is a string ensemble whose mission is “to engage young and new audiences and to advance diversity in classical music.” Comprised of all first-place laureates of the Sphinx Competition, the two violins, viola and cello ensemble made its successful Carnegie Hall debut during the Sphinx Gala Concert in October 2006, receiving rave reviews from The New York Times. Performance highlights include the legendary Apollo Theater, the White House, the U.S. Ambassador's residence in London and an appearance on The Today Show. The group released their professional debut album, Taking the 'A' Train, with the White Pine Music label in 2007. Their second CD was released in spring 2010 on the Naxos label.
           
Reserved seating tickets for the Sphinx Chamber Orchestra with the Harlem Quartet and Elena Urioste are $5 for students, $20 for faculty/staff and $25 for community. Special rates apply for groups and Flex Series tickets. Purchase your tickets at the Howard Performing Arts Center Box Office or by calling 888-467-6442 or 269-471-3560. For more information, please visit www.howard.andrews.edu.