Sphinx Virtuosi explores voices of color in virtual ‘This is America’ March 3–10

UNIVERSITY PARK — Sphinx Virtuosi, a classical music ensemble featuring 18 accomplished African-American and Latinx soloists, emphasizes its commitment to social impact with the virtual event “This is America.” The free online program will begin at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 3, and will be available to stream until 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 10. Visit Sphinx Virtuosi for more information. “This is America” highlights people of color through the lens of the ensemble’s musicians of color, plus other American classics. The program includes “Ev’ry Voice” by Xavier Foley; “Source Code” by Jessie Montgomery; the final movement of “American Quartet” by Antonín Dvořák, arranged for chamber orchestra; “Seven” by Andrea Casarrubios; “America” from “West Side Story” by Leonard Bernstein; and “Delights and Dances” by Michael Abels. Contributions from the members of the Center for the Performing Arts and a grant from the University Park Student Fee Board help make the program free of charge. The program is part of the center’s “Up Close and Virtual” 2020–21season, and the Fierce Urgency Festival, the center’s commitment to celebrating Black artists and sharing their stories. In 1997, Aaron Dworkin founded The Sphinx Organization, which is now led by President and Artistic Director Afa S. Dworkin. It is dedicated to transforming lives through the power of diversity in the arts. The ensemble has performed twice at Penn State—in 2008 at Eisenhower Auditorium and in 2016 at Schwab Auditorium. Geisinger and Northwest provide support for virtual presentations by the Center for the Performing Arts. Visit “Up Close and Virtual” for more information about forthcoming events. Find the Center for the Performing Arts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.