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 the Senior division have the opportunity to perform with the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra and compete for nearly $100,000 in prizes, including the top Robert Frederick Smith Prize. Audience choice awards are an exciting highlight, as those in attendance cast their votes by text and select a winner in each division. Under the direction of Kalena Bovell, the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra will also perform Danse Negre by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor.