Sphinx Organization Partners With Bank of America to Present Inaugural Virtual Gala

September 24, 2020 at 2:00 PM Eastern

The Sphinx Organization in partnership with Bank of America, announced today that it will premiere Lift Ev’ry Voice, a free online gala and concert on Thursday, October 15, at 7 p.m. EST. The virtual event will feature Sphinx artists, alumni, students, and special guests. All are welcome to tune in to watch the concert for free in a number of ways, including the Sphinx Organization’s website and Facebook channel.

Previously held at Carnegie Hall, this year’s event directly supports programming that addresses issues of social justice within the performing arts. As a social justice organization, Sphinx seeks to empower the essential voices of artists and leaders who shape the vibrant landscape of the classical music field. This year’s gala is particularly poignant as Sphinx looks to support its network of 800+ artists as they share their talents during these unprecedented times.

Bank of America first partnered with the Sphinx Organization in 2017 in support of Sphinx’s Orchestral Partner Auditions (SOPA). SOPA provides professional audition experiences, strengthens the network of orchestras and musicians, and provides employment opportunities for musicians of color in American orchestras. With Bank of America’s support, more qualified musicians of color have been presented with opportunities to audition before a panel representing numerous orchestras. This continued partnership is aligned to the bank’s recent $1 billion, four-year commitment to help advance racial equality and economic opportunity, particularly for people and communities of color.

“Organizations like Sphinx are adapting to new ways of sharing their mission with the world,” said Rena DeSisto, global arts and culture executive at Bank of America. “We are proud to support their work in addressing the underrepresentation of people of color in classical music and are committed to being a part of the solution.”

Leading up to the gala, Bank of America and the Sphinx Organization will host a “Let's Get Real®…” courageous conversation to highlight the importance of diversity and inclusion efforts in the philanthropic space. The conversation will feature Cynthia Bowman, chief diversity & inclusion and talent acquisition officer at Bank of America, Afa S. Dworkin, President and Artistic Director for the Sphinx Organization, and Francesca McNeeley, a Bank of America Fellow. It will premiere on the Sphinx Organization Sphinx Organization website and social media channels on September 28 at 3 p.m. EST and all are welcome to tune in.

“This year has demonstrated more than ever the importance of Sphinx's mission and work at the intersection of social justice and the arts,” says Sphinx President and Artistic Director Afa S. Dworkin. “As the pandemic has affected Black and Brown communities in a dramatically disproportionate fashion, we strive to uplift the voices of our artists and their stories. We are thrilled and grateful to announce Bank of America’s continued support and we look forward to celebrating the combination of this work during our first-ever virtual Gala Lift Ev'ry Voice, on October 15th at 7 p.m.”

Visit http://www.sphinxmusic.org/gala/ for additional gala and giving information.

About Sphinx Organization

The Sphinx Organization is the social justice organization dedicated to transforming lives through the power of diversity in the arts. Sphinx’s four program areas – Education & Access, Artist Development, Performing Artists, and Arts Leadership – form a pipeline that develops and supports diversity and inclusion in classical music at every level: music education, artists performing on stage, the repertoire and programing being performed, the communities represented in audiences, and the artistic and administrative leadership within the field.

Sphinx was founded in 1997 by Aaron P. Dworkin with the goal of addressing the underrepresentation of people of color in classical music. The name Sphinx, inspired by the mythical creature and legendary statue, reflects the power, wisdom and persistence that characterize Sphinx’s participants, as well as the enigmatic and interpretive nature of music and art.

Now led by President and Artistic Director Afa S. Dworkin, Sphinx programs reach more than 100,000 students and artists as well as live and broadcast audiences of more than two million annually. Read more about Sphinx’s programs at www.SphinxMusic.org.

Bank of America

At Bank of America, we’re guided by a common purpose to help make financial lives better, through the power of every connection. We’re delivering on this through responsible growth with a focus on our environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership. ESG is embedded across our eight lines of business and reflects how we help fuel the global economy, build trust and credibility, and represent a company that people want to work for, invest in and do business with. It’s demonstrated in the inclusive and supportive workplace we create for our employees, the responsible products and services we offer our clients, and the impact we make around the world in helping local economies thrive. An important part of this work is forming strong partnerships with nonprofits and advocacy groups, such as community, consumer and environmental organizations, to bring together our collective networks and expertise to achieve greater impact. Connect with us on Twitter (@BofA_News).

For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom and register for email alerts.

September 24, 2020 at 2:00 PM Eastern

Sphinx Organization Partners With Bank of America to Present Inaugural Virtual Gala

The Sphinx Organization in partnership with Bank of America, announced today that it will premiere Lift Ev’ry Voice, a free online gala and concert on Thursday, October 15, at 7 p.m. EST. The virtual event will feature Sphinx artists, alumni, students, and special guests. All are welcome to tune in to watch the concert for free in a number of ways, including the Sphinx Organization’s website and Facebook channel.

Previously held at Carnegie Hall, this year’s event directly supports programming that addresses issues of social justice within the performing arts. As a social justice organization, Sphinx seeks to empower the essential voices of artists and leaders who shape the vibrant landscape of the classical music field. This year’s gala is particularly poignant as Sphinx looks to support its network of 800+ artists as they share their talents during these unprecedented times.

Bank of America first partnered with the Sphinx Organization in 2017 in support of Sphinx’s Orchestral Partner Auditions (SOPA). SOPA provides professional audition experiences, strengthens the network of orchestras and musicians, and provides employment opportunities for musicians of color in American orchestras. With Bank of America’s support, more qualified musicians of color have been presented with opportunities to audition before a panel representing numerous orchestras. This continued partnership is aligned to the bank’s recent $1 billion, four-year commitment to help advance racial equality and economic opportunity, particularly for people and communities of color.

“Organizations like Sphinx are adapting to new ways of sharing their mission with the world,” said Rena DeSisto, global arts and culture executive at Bank of America. “We are proud to support their work in addressing the underrepresentation of people of color in classical music and are committed to being a part of the solution.”

Leading up to the gala, Bank of America and the Sphinx Organization will host a “Let's Get Real®…” courageous conversation to highlight the importance of diversity and inclusion efforts in the philanthropic space. The conversation will feature Cynthia Bowman, chief diversity & inclusion and talent acquisition officer at Bank of America, Afa S. Dworkin, President and Artistic Director for the Sphinx Organization, and Francesca McNeeley, a Bank of America Fellow. It will premiere on the Sphinx Organization Sphinx Organization website and social media channels on September 28 at 3 p.m. EST and all are welcome to tune in.

“This year has demonstrated more than ever the importance of Sphinx's mission and work at the intersection of social justice and the arts,” says Sphinx President and Artistic Director Afa S. Dworkin. “As the pandemic has affected Black and Brown communities in a dramatically disproportionate fashion, we strive to uplift the voices of our artists and their stories. We are thrilled and grateful to announce Bank of America’s continued support and we look forward to celebrating the combination of this work during our first-ever virtual Gala Lift Ev'ry Voice, on October 15th at 7 p.m.”

Visit http://www.sphinxmusic.org/gala/ for additional gala and giving information.

About Sphinx Organization

The Sphinx Organization is the social justice organization dedicated to transforming lives through the power of diversity in the arts. Sphinx’s four program areas – Education & Access, Artist Development, Performing Artists, and Arts Leadership – form a pipeline that develops and supports diversity and inclusion in classical music at every level: music education, artists performing on stage, the repertoire and programing being performed, the communities represented in audiences, and the artistic and administrative leadership within the field.

Sphinx was founded in 1997 by Aaron P. Dworkin with the goal of addressing the underrepresentation of people of color in classical music. The name Sphinx, inspired by the mythical creature and legendary statue, reflects the power, wisdom and persistence that characterize Sphinx’s participants, as well as the enigmatic and interpretive nature of music and art.

Now led by President and Artistic Director Afa S. Dworkin, Sphinx programs reach more than 100,000 students and artists as well as live and broadcast audiences of more than two million annually. Read more about Sphinx’s programs at www.SphinxMusic.org.

Bank of America

At Bank of America, we’re guided by a common purpose to help make financial lives better, through the power of every connection. We’re delivering on this through responsible growth with a focus on our environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership. ESG is embedded across our eight lines of business and reflects how we help fuel the global economy, build trust and credibility, and represent a company that people want to work for, invest in and do business with. It’s demonstrated in the inclusive and supportive workplace we create for our employees, the responsible products and services we offer our clients, and the impact we make around the world in helping local economies thrive. An important part of this work is forming strong partnerships with nonprofits and advocacy groups, such as community, consumer and environmental organizations, to bring together our collective networks and expertise to achieve greater impact. Connect with us on Twitter (@BofA_News).

For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom and register for email alerts.

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