KALAMAZOO (MICH.)- According to Symphony.org “People of color now make up about 21 percent of orchestra players nationwide…according to a study by the League of American Orchestras.” Thanks to the Sphinx Virtuosi, string musicians of color have a place to shine. The Explorers and their families enjoyed a night at the orchestra, where the ensemble was composed of musicians of color. In addition, they were joined by pianist Awadagin Pratt for a unique collaboration.

Tickets to the event were provided by The Gilmore. Explorers sat in the front row during the sold-out performance in the Dalton Theatre on the campus of Western Michigan University.

“This was great,” said Carmen Rogers, who brought her Explorer granddaughter, La’Niya Taylor, and her grandson, from Battle Creek, to see the performance. “Kids need to see more things like this. It lets them see what is possible,” she said.

The concert was one of several diverse performances held between April 24 and May 12 during the International Piano Festival, hosted by The Gilmore. Explorers were enchanted with the self-conducted chamber orchestra that serves as a flagship performance entity of the Sphinx Organization. The organization is committed to diversity in the arts through annual competitions featuring students of color and touring performances.

“My daughter didn’t want to leave until we got their autographs,” said parent Trevon Hobson, whose daughter Cianna is an Explorer and pianist. She smiled as some women musicians posed for photos and signed their program booklets.

Thank you to The Gilmore for the opportunity to experience diversity in music!