Sphinx Competition
Scholarship Sponsored by DTE Foundation
The Sphinx Competition, held every year in Detroit (MI), is a national competition offering young Black and Latinx classical string players a chance to compete under the guidance of an internationally renowned panel of judges and to perform with and receive mentorship from established professional musicians.
Finalists in both divisions have the opportunity to perform with the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra, the unique all Black and Latinx orchestra comprised of top professionals from around the country, and compete for a total of nearly $100,000 in prizes, including the top Robert Frederick Smith Prize.
All semi-finalists and finalists have access to scholarships and fine instruments through the Sphinx Music Assistance Fund.
Eligibility
To apply to the Sphinx Competition:
- Instrument categories are Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass.
- Participants in the Junior Division must not have reached their 18th birthday by February 1, 2025. Participants in the Senior Division must be at least 18 years old but not have reached their 31st birthday by February 1, 2025.
- Participants must be a U.S. resident or have a valid U.S visa at the time of applying and performing during the final rounds of the junior and senior division. For questions about eligibility, please contact Competition@SphinxMusic.org.
- Participants must not have been a 1st Place Winner in their division in any previous Sphinx Competition.
Online Application Requirements
- Video audition – Please refer to the audition requirements for the applicable division and instrument
- Current biography
- High resolution headshot. Minimum 300dpi. (Professional photography not required)
Audition Video Requirements
- Each video file should contain only one piece. You may choose to submit contrasting Bach pieces as a single video file or as separate video files.
- Videos must not be edited in any way.
- Piano accompaniment is recommended, but not required.
- The applicant must remain on screen at all times.
- Videos uploaded must be smaller than one gigabyte (1 GB) in size.
- Please allow sufficient time to prepare and upload videos.
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