Sphinx Scholarship Competition
Scholarship Sponsored by DTE Foundation
Overview
The Sphinx Competition is a national contest for string musicians that advances careers, celebrates artistic excellence, and addresses systemic barriers affecting Black and Latino communities. Finalists have opportunities to perform with the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra, which features top professional musicians from across the United States. The competition awards more than $100,000 in prizes and connects semi-finalists and finalists with scholarships and instrument support through the Sphinx Music Assistance Fund. The event emphasizes both performance excellence and long-term career development for participants.
Description: A national, career-oriented competition for violin, viola, cello, and double bass players that combines performance prizes with access to professional opportunities and resources.
- National competition focused on Black and Latino string musicians
- Finalist performance opportunities with a professional orchestra
- Financial awards plus scholarships and instrument assistance
Prizes
The competition is divided into Senior and Junior divisions, each offering monetary awards and performance engagements for top winners. The Senior Division includes the Robert Frederick Smith Prize for first place, along with additional cash awards and orchestra appearances. The Junior Division awards cash prizes and performance opportunities for younger artists. Overall prize money for the event totals more than $100,000, distributed across placements and special awards.
Award Value: Cash awards and performance engagements vary by division, with the largest single prize being the $50,000 Robert Frederick Smith Prize in the Senior Division.
SENIOR DIVISION (Ages 18 - 30)
- 1st Place — $50,000 Robert Frederick Smith Prize and solo appearances with major orchestras
- 2nd Place — $20,000
- 3rd Place — $10,000
- Audience Choice — $5,000
JUNIOR DIVISION (Ages 17 and under)
- 1st Place — $10,000 and solo appearances with major orchestras
- 2nd Place — $5,000
- 3rd Place — $3,000
- Senior Division offers the largest single prize ($50,000)
- Both divisions include performance opportunities with major orchestras
- Audience and placement awards contribute to total prize pool
Eligibility
Applicants must perform on violin, viola, cello, or double bass and meet age and residency/visa requirements by the competition’s specified date. Junior Division applicants must be under 18 on February 1, 2027; Senior Division applicants must be between 18 and 30 on that date. Applicants must be U.S. residents or hold a valid U.S. visa at the time of application and performance in final rounds. Previous first-place winners in the same division are ineligible to apply again.
Eligibility: Instrument category, age cutoffs (as of February 1, 2027), residency/visa status, and prior first-place winner status determine eligibility for application.
- Eligible instruments: violin, viola, cello, double bass
- Age limits apply separately to Junior and Senior divisions
- Must be a U.S. resident or hold a valid U.S. visa during application and final performances
- Previous first-place winners in the same division are not eligible
- For questions about eligibility, contact [email protected]
Online Application Requirements
The online application requires a complete set of materials including a video audition, current biography, high-resolution headshot, and a short personal reflection video. Video auditions must follow the repertoire guidelines specific to each division and instrument. Headshots should be a minimum of 300 dpi and suitable for promotional use; professional photography is recommended but not required. The personal reflection is a brief (one-minute maximum) video addressing what the Sphinx Organization’s mission means to the applicant.
Application Materials: Prepare and upload a video audition, biography, headshot, and one-minute personal reflection as part of the application package.
- Video Audition: Follow Repertoire Requirements for your division and instrument.
- Current Biography
- High-Resolution Headshot: Minimum 300 dpi, clear and well-lit.
- Personal Reflection Video: 1 minute maximum; address what the organization’s mission means to you.
- Assemble all materials before beginning the application
- Follow repertoire and technical specifications closely
- Personal reflection must be concise and on-message
Audition Video Requirements
Audition videos must adhere to strict technical and content rules to ensure fairness and consistency. Each video file should contain only one piece, though contrasting Bach pieces may be submitted together or separately. Videos must be unedited, recorded horizontally (landscape), keep the applicant on-screen at all times, and be smaller than 1 GB. Piano accompaniment is recommended but optional, and applicants should allow sufficient time to prepare and upload their videos.
Technical Requirements: Files must be single-piece (with specific exceptions), unedited, landscape format, under 1 GB, and show the applicant on-screen throughout.
- Submit one piece per video file (contrasting Bach pieces may be combined).
- Videos must not be edited.
- Record in horizontal (landscape) orientation.
- Piano accompaniment recommended but not required.
- Applicant must remain on screen at all times.
- Each uploaded file must be smaller than 1 GB.
- Allow sufficient time for preparation and upload.
- Unedited, landscape video preserves adjudication integrity
- File size limits require adequate upload planning
- Staying on screen is mandatory for submission validity