2022 Sphinx Competition and SphinxConnect to Go Virtual

The 25th Annual Sphinx Competition, from January 26-29, 2022, and SphinxConnect: Forging Alliances from January 27-29, 2022, will now be held virtually with no in-person participation.

Much like many events, the safety concerns from the pandemic are forcing organizations to make the difficult decision to either cancel, postpone, or go entirely virtual.

"We have made the difficult decision to hold the 25th Annual Sphinx Competition and SphinxConnect: Forging Alliances conference virtually with no in-person participation," Sphinx Foundation Executive Director Afa Dworkin said.

"The decision was made in light of the uncertainty over the COVID-19 variant development and ultimately to ensure the well-being of our community."

SphinxConnect is one of the largest and longest-standing conventions dedicated to diversity and inclusion in the classical music industry — welcoming hundreds of musicians, industry leaders, educators, funders, diversity advocates, and administrators.

This year's SphinxConnect conference will welcome more than 70 speakers participating in over 20 sessions. This year's distinguished guest speakers include Grammy and MacArthur Award-winning musician and Artistic Director of Silkroad, Rhiannon Giddens, and The Juilliard School Preparatory Division Dean Weston Sprott.

Schedule and registration details are available, here.

The Sphinx Competition is held every year in Detroit (MI), offering young Black and Latinx classical string players a chance to compete under the guidance of an internationally renowned panel of judges.

You can find the semi-finalists, here.

For this year, all candidates will perform their repertoire with a collaborative pianist submitted by video. Historically, the six Sphinx finalists from both divisions have performed live with the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra at Detroit's Orchestra Hall.

The top prize in the Senior Division will receive the $50,000 Robert Frederick Smith Prize and solo appearances with major orchestras.

All semi-finalists and finalists have access to scholarships and fine instruments through the Sphinx Music Assistance Fund.

The competition will be streamed LIVE here on The Violin Channel from January 20-29.