Thursday, September 1, 2011

CMAC Project: 'All Black & Latino Chamber Orchestra Coming to Greensboro' Concert 7:30 PM, Oct. 7




[TOP: Marta Richardson (Photo: H. Scott Hoffmann, News-Record) CENTER: Catalyst Quartet BOTTOM: Sphinx Virtuosi]

AfriClassical recently posted the news that the Sphinx Virtuosi & Catalyst Quartet are about to undertake their Fourth Annual National Tour, which will take them to Greensboro, North Carolina. We have received a Press Release from The CMAC Project (Classical Music Across Cultures):

All Black & Latino Chamber Orchestra Coming to Greensboro
The Sphinx Virtuosi featuring the Catalyst Quartet will reach out to inspire thousands of underserved Guilford County school children, as well as perform at Aycock Auditorium during their National Tour.

GREENSBORO, NC, August 30, 2011 – Greensboro’s inaugural 17 Days Festival will include a concert with the internationally renowned, all Black and Latino chamber orchestra, Sphinx Virtuosi featuring the Catalyst Quartet. The conductorless ensemble will perform at Aycock Auditorium on Friday, October 7th at 7:30PM as part of their 2011 National Tour. The Sphinx Virtuosi is comprised of 20 alumni of the acclaimed Sphinx Competition for young Black and Latino string players.

The Sphinx Virtuosi concert is one facet of a three-day outreach program of the CMAC Project (Classical Music Across Cultures), a non-profit group fiscally sponsored by the United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro. The primary goal of the CMAC Project is to bring the Sphinx Virtuosi to Greensboro to enrich our community artistically, socially and educationally. This project will help build classical music audiences, reach out to underserved public school music students, and help prepare teachers to better meet the needs of their underserved students.

"My students are 75% non-white. Every time I show them videos of Sphinx, I can see something resonating inside of them. This project is going to be life changing."
– Marta Richardson, Violin Teacher & CMAC Project Coordinator

The CMAC Project includes:
<> A two-day residency, October 6th - 7th, targeting GCS string programs with the most diverse student make-up

<> A welcoming reception for Sphinx at the International Civil Rights Center & Museum on October 6th
(By invitation only for music faculty from GCS, area universities, public officials, arts organizations, media etc.)

<> A university level master class featuring the renowned Catalyst Quartet at UNCG Recital Hall on October 7th

<> A public concert at Aycock Auditorium on Friday evening, October 7th at 7:30 PM
(A limited number of free student tickets are available.)

<> A free Saturday morning workshop at the Greensboro Cultural Center for area string students in grades 6 - 12

Sphinx Virtuosi Concert
Friday, October 7
7:30PM - 9:00PM

Tickets: $10.00*
336.334.4TIX

*A limited number of free student tickets are available. To reserve, please call 336.256.0167.

About the Sphinx Organization
The mission of the Detroit-based Sphinx Organization is to increase the participation of Blacks and Latinos in music schools, as professional musicians and as classical music audiences; to administer youth development initiatives in underserved communities through music education; and to promote the creation, performance and preservation of works by Black and Latino composers. Aaron Dworkin, Sphinx Organization Founder and 2005 MacArthur Fellow, was nominated by President Obama and confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve on the National Council on the Arts on August 3, 2011.

About the CMAC Project
The CMAC Project (Classical Music Across Cultures) will help build classical music audiences, bring together diverse people, groups and cultures, influence children’s futures and much more. Learn more about the CMAC Project by visiting CMACProject.org and connecting with us on facebook/CMACProject, twitter.com/CMACProject, youtube.com/CMACProject, and linkedin.com (Keyword: CMAC Project).

About Marta Richardson
The visionary for this project is Marta Richardson, a public school violin teacher at Peeler Open School for the Performing Arts in Greensboro, NC. Marta is a graduate of the UNCG School of Music, a former member of the Greensboro Symphony and a founding member of the world music group Songs of Water. [Aaron Dworkin (b. 1970) is profiled at AfriClassical.com and has a personal website, http://www.AaronDworkin.com]

Comment by email:
Bill, Thank you so much for the wonderful post in AfriClassical! It is an honor to be represented by your organization. I so respect your dedication and tireless attention to importance of Blacks in classical music. I am most appreciative. Humbly, Marta Richardson

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