Sphinx Competition — next application opens Spring 2026 (2027 competition)

The Sphinx Competition is a national string competition held in Detroit each January, built to open doors for Black and Latino classical musicians. The prizes are substantial. In the Senior Division: USD 50,000 and solo appearances with major orchestras for first place, 20,000 for second, 10,000 for third and 5,000 for audience choice. In the Junior Division: 10,000, 5,000 and 3,000, with solo orchestral dates for the winner. Every semi-finalist and finalist also gets access to scholarships and fine instruments through the Music Assistance Fund.

Violin, viola, cello and double bass only. For the 2027 edition, Junior entrants must not have turned 18 by 1 February 2027, and Senior entrants must be at least 18 but not yet 31 on that date. You need to be a US resident or hold a valid US visa both when you apply and when you perform in the finals, and you cannot have won first place in your division before.

Applying means a video audition through the Acceptd portal, plus a current biography, a 300dpi headshot, and a one-minute video on what the Sphinx mission means to you. Audition videos must be unedited and shot in landscape, one piece per file, with you on screen throughout; piano accompaniment is recommended but not required. The 2027 deadline is 20 October 2026 at 11:59pm ET, and nothing late is accepted.

After that it becomes live playing. Semi-finals are with piano and finals with the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra, both entirely from memory - only the preliminary round lets you use the score.