Sphinx Virtuosi in Residence at Newport High School

The Sphinx Virtuosi, comprised of 18 Black and Latino artists who reflect the highest level of musicianship in America, will be in residence at Newport High School March 4-6, performing, teaching, and adjudicating.

It’s like having the entire Mariners baseball team come and spend 3 days working with the Newport baseball team. Not just a couple of Mariners for an hour or two, but the whole team for three days!

Here is a detailed schedule of events for March 4 and 5

Tuesday, March 4

  • 10:00-11:00 am– Sphinx Virtuosi performs for Middle School performance (5th period orchestra students should ask to be excused to attend this concert. If they have pressing work to do in class, then they should go to class).
  • 12:20-1:10 Concert Orchestra (9th grade group) rehearses side by side with members of Sphinx Virtuosi (3rd period orchestra students should ask to be excused to attend this rehearsal. If they have pressing work to do in class, then they should go to class).
  • 1:15-2:05 6th period Sinfonia (non-audition group) – rehearse with members of Sphinx Virtuosi
  • 2:10-3:00 7th period Chamber Orchestra (audition-group) rehearses Habari Gani side by side with members of Sphinx Virtuosi (Chamber Orchestra students should ask to be excused to attend this rehearsal. If they have pressing work to do in class, then they should go to class).

Masterclass with members of Sphinx Virtuosi and small groups from Newport (four 30 minute segments)

  • 4:00 Argent Edge by Doug Spata (non-auditioned chamber orchestra)
  • 4:30 Por una Cabesa by Carlos Gardel, arranged by James Barralet (cello quarte
  • 5:00 Strum by Jesse Montgomery (auditioned chamber orchestra
  • 5:30 Quartet No. 2 in A Major, Op. 13 Mvt. 1 by Felix Mendelssohn (string quartet)

Wednesday, March 5

  • 9:35-11:05 4th period Chamber Orchestra (audition-group) rehearses Habari Gani side by side with members of Sphinx Virtuos
  • 11:10-12:40 6th period Sinfonia (non-audition group) – rehearses side by side with members of Sphinx Virtuosi
  • 4:15–5:00 PM – Sphinx Virtuosi Sound Check Onstage
  • 5:00–5:15 PM – Habari Gani Final Read-Through
  • 5:30 PM – Dinner
  • 7:00-9:00 pm Side by Side concert with Sphinx Virtuosi and Newport Orchestras

Thursday, March 6

Eastshore Orchestra Festival – Sphinx Virtuosi performs and serves as adjudicators for high school orchestra from the Eastshore region. Chamber Orchestra and Sinfonia will be attending from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.