Music by Request with Sphinx LEAD (2023)

By Amanda Sewell

Published November 25, 2023 at 8:48 AM EST

We turned the program over to Sphinx LEAD, a cohort of rising stars in arts leadership who recently visited Interlochen.

For this special edition of Music by Request, we asked members of the Sphinx LEAD program to choose the music.

Sphinx LEAD is one of many programs offered by the Detroit-based Sphinx Organization, a social justice organization whose goal is transformation through diversity in the arts.

“LEAD” is an acronym for “Leadership in Excellence, Arts, and Diversity.” Each LEAD cohort is made up of Arts leaders of color who participate in a curriculum of mentorship, networking, and leadership retreats at top institutions.

These up-and-coming leaders in the arts world recently visited Interlochen Center for the Arts for a leadership retreat.

During their visit to IPR, we asked them to curate this week's program.

View the complete playlist for this week's program HERE.

Members of the Sphinx LEAD cohort meet with IPR staff in Studio A (2023)

Music by Request with Sphinx LEAD 2023, part 1

Requests from Demarr Woods, Devin Hinzo, Brandon Neal, Cathy Teixeira and LaRob Rafael

Demarr Woods, Chairperson of Music and Performing Arts at Hampton University: F.J. Haydn, Trumpet Concerto

Devin Hinzo, Artistic Administrator at Cal Performances at UC Berkeley: H. Berlioz, Lacrimosa

Brandon Neal, Associate Producer in the Officer of the President at The Juilliard School: M. Ravel, String Quartet, mvt. 1

Cathy Teixeira, Grants Director at Maryland State Arts Council: H. Villa-Lobos, Aria from Bachianas Brasileiras no. 5

LaRob Rafael, Founder and Artistic Director at Hearing In Color; Host and Producer at WFMT/WTTW: G. Puccini, Crisantemi

Front row from left: Amanda Sewell, Devin Hinzo, Sandy Feliciano, Cathy Teixeira, Nicolas Gonzalez, Brandon Neal Back row from left: Peter Payette, Michael Walker II, Ian Saunders, LaRob Rafael, Kewan Smith, Demarr Woods — Front row from left: Amanda Sewell, Devin Hinzo, Sandy Feliciano, Cathy Teixeira, Nicolas Gonzalez, Brandon Neal
Back row from left: Peter Payette, Michael Walker II, Ian Saunders, LaRob Rafael, Kewan Smith, Demarr Woods

Music by Request with Sphinx LEAD 2023, part 2

Requests from Michael Walker II, Kewan Smith, Ian Saunders and Sandy Feliciano

Michael Walker II, Senior Development Officer at ACLU, Washington, D.C. Affiliate: B. Britten, Canticle 2 (Abraham and Isaac)

Kewan Smith, Senior Director of Individual and Corporate Giving at New World Symphony: H. Villa-Lobos, Choros no. 10

Ian Saunders, Artistic Director at Project STEP: G. Bottesini, Concerto no. 2 for Double Bass and Orchestra

Sandy Feliciano, Manager at Coxe Curry & Associates: M. Duruflé, Tota pulchra es

Music by Request with Sphinx LEAD 2023 (part 3)

Recordings featuring Sphinx Organization soloists and ensembles

Bonus: the piece requested by Nicolas Gonzalez, Assistant Vice President for Strategic Innovation and Special Initiatives at the Manhattan School of Music, is not available as a commercial recording, so we've included a YouTube clip of one movement below.

Abigayl Venman and Peter Payette provided additional support for this program.