Music Events & Workshops

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

The 21st Annual USD South Dakota All-State Chorus Workshop will take place Wednesday, October 9, 2024. The event will feature sectional work and full choir rehearsals led by members of the USD vocal faculty. Cost to attend is $5 per students. Click on the links below for more information or to register for the event. If you have additional questions, please email Dr. David Holdhusen at [email protected].

Wednesday, June 25 - Friday, June 27, 2025

The University of South Dakota’s Band Directors Institute is an intensive program designed to expose music educators to the best in current and standard literature in addition to teaching methods and materials.

The institute includes reading sessions, masterclasses and clinic sessions that focus on a wide variety of teaching subjects for band directors and will feature guest clinicians, as well as a variety of USD faculty. This year's Band Directors Institute Clinician is Paul Popiel.

For more information or to register, visit the Band Directors Institute page.

Learn more about the Band Directors Institute

Wednesday, June 25 - Friday, June 27, 2025

The University of South Dakota’s Choral Directors Institute is an intensive program designed to expose music educators to the best in current and standard literature in addition to teaching methods and materials

The institute includes large ensemble reading sessions, master classes and clinic sessions that focus on a wide variety of teaching subjects for choral directors and will feature a guest clinician and a variety of USD faculty. This year's Choral Directors Institute Clinician is Laura Farnell.

For more information or to register for the event, visit the Choral Directors Institute page.

Learn more about the Choral Directors Institute

Next year's event will be announced at a later date

High school bands from around the region are invited to join The SOUND of USD Marching Band at the annual Dakota Days football game! After awards for the Dakota Days Parade Band Competition, bands may elect to attend the game, sit in the stands with, and perform on the field at half time with The SOUND of USD. To reserve your space or request additional information, contact [email protected].

Next year's USD Coyote Jazz Festival will be Tuesday, March 18, 2025 - For high school jazz bands and jazz choirs.

Since 1975 the USD Coyote Jazz Festival has featured high school music programs from South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, and Minnesota. A competitive festival, the event is also an excellent opportunity for performing groups to receive written and recorded feedback from exceptional jazz educators and performers. Trophies are awarded for outstanding performances in each high school class (A-4A). 

Registration Online

Contact Darin Wadley at [email protected] for more information regarding the event

The University of South Dakota welcomes high school bands to Vermillion for the Annual Dakota Days Parade & Marching Band Competition. The 2023 Marching Band Parade Competition will feature an expert panel of judges and will conclude on-campus for an award presentation, snacks for all participants, door prizes, and a brief performance by The SOUND of USD Marching Band.

Marching Band Application

Contact Darin Wadley at [email protected] for more information regarding the Dakota Days Parade Band Competition.

Saturday, January 20, 2024 from 1 - 5 p.m.

The Drumming Flow Retreat will be an intense focus on snare drum technique. During the retreat, you will explore grip, stroke, timing and playing with precision. You will spend the day playing on pads with a metronome in an effort to develop a relaxed, effortless approach. The session will benefit all drumming styles; drumset, marching and concert. The retreat is free, and anyone high school and older, including adults, is invited to participate.

For more information regarding the Drumming Flow Retreat, please email Darin Wadley at [email protected].

Register Now

This year's event will be held on September 27, 2024

High school juniors and seniors are invited to come to USD and experience what it is like to be a music major for a day. Students will have the opportunity to attend music classes, enjoy a faculty and student recital, participate in lessons or masterclasses, discover the USD campus, and enjoy social time with current and prospective music students. This event allows students to get a better understanding of what awaits them as they transition from high school to college.

Despite the name of the event, the day is not only for future music majors. USD is famous for having music minors as well as participants involved in our ensembles and some of our music classes. This event will give students an idea of how they might want to be involved in music after they graduate from high school and continue their musical path.

Date: September 27, 2024

Cost: $0.00

Application Link: link.usd.edu/musicmajorforaday

Contact: [email protected]

Friday, January 31 - Saturday, February 1, 2025

 The Annual Quad State Honor Band Festival brings together the finest high school musicians from the quad state region. Students selected to participate will have the opportunity to work with USD Director of Symphonic Bands Dr. Bethany Amundson as well as guest conductor and composer, Tom Davoren, and USD alumnus Nicole Decker. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to have masterclasses with USD  Department of Music Faculty.

Audition material can be found here. Auditions are due December 1st, and audition results published December 15th. Auditions can be submitted by using this link.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31

9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Registration / Check-in (Warren M. Lee Center for Fine Arts Lobby)
10:00 a.m. Welcome Meeting (Colton Recital Hall)
10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Honor Band Rehearsals (SB - FA 155 / CB - Aalfs Auditorium)
1:00 p.m. Lunch (on your own), USD Scholarship Auditions (Fine Arts Building)
2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Honor Band Rehearsals (SB - FA 155 / CB - Aalfs Auditorium)
5:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Concert: USD Symphonic Band (Aalfs Auditorium)
5:30 p.m. Dinner (on your own)
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Honor Band Rehearsals (SB - FA 155 / CB - Aalfs Auditorium)

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1

9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Masterclasses with USD Applied Music Faculty (Fine Arts Building)
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Honor Bands Rehearsal (SB - Aalfs Auditorium / CB - FA 155)
12:30 p.m. Lunch (on your own)
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Honor Band Rehearsals (SB - Aalfs Auditorium / CB - FA 155)
3:45 p.m. Report (Aalfs Auditorium, CB - on stage, SB - balcony)
4:00 Festival Finale Concert (Aalfs Auditorium). Families and friends are invited to attend the Finale Concert

Saturday, October 18, 2025

The University of South Dakota is once again proud to partner with USBands to bring you the Quad State Marching Band Championships. Registration and further information is available at the USBands website.

For more information, please contact Dr. Todd Cranson at [email protected].

This year's event will be held on September 30, 2024

Join us for a fun-filled event featuring activities with special guest Robert Erhard, South Dakota Symphony cellist, as well as USD’s cello professor, Dr. Sonja Kraus and bass instructor, Kelly Coslet. The program includes the participation in low strings ensembles, masterclasses and group activities as well as performance opportunities for all levels. The event collaborates with the National Music Museum as well as other event guests. There will be a $15 per participant charge, due on registration day. Cash or check only.

Date: September 30, 2024

Cost: $15.00

Application Link: http://link.usd.edu/cellobassday

Contact: [email protected]

Sunday, July 13 - Friday, July 18, 2025

Summer Music Camp is a six-day experience of learning and music-making open to students who have completed grades 5–12. Activities include vocal and instrumental ensembles as well as a variety of other musical activities. Opportunities for private lessons in a specific instrument or voice are also available. 

For questions or more information, or to register please visit the Summer Music Camp page.

Saturday, February 22, 2025

The Genevieve Truran Piano Competition for grades 8-12 is held at the University of South Dakota in the Warren M. Lee Center for the Fine Arts. The competition is named for Genevieve Truran, a native of Pierre, SD, who taught piano at USD on a full-time basis for forty-seven years. In the competition, pianists are required to play two of three works from memory and must be from at least two of these four compositional periods:

• Baroque
• Romantic
• Classic
• Impressionistic/Contemporary

USD Piano Scholarships

12th grade contestants who plan to attend the University of South Dakota are eligible to be awarded Truran Piano Scholarships in addition to any cash prizes. Indicate on the application form if you will be auditioning for a Truran Piano Scholarship.

For questions or more information, please email Dr. Eun-Hee Park at [email protected].

For more information or to register, visit the Truran Piano Competition page.

Learn More about Truran Piano Competition

Thursday, March 20th, 2025

South Dakota Violin/Viola Day is scheduled for March 20th, 2025. Violists and violinists of all levels, between grades 8-12, are invited to attend the South Dakota Violin/Viola Day for the opportunity to play in upper strings ensembles, attend concerts, tour the National Music Museum, visit with Claire Givens Violin Shop, and work with the internationally renowned SDSO concertmaster Dr. Doosook Kim and Dr. Ioana Galu, violin/viola professor at the University of South Dakota and member in the Rawlins Piano Trio. You will join a community of violinists and violists who share the same great passion for music, and you will forge long-lasting professional and personal connections. There will be a $15 per participant charge, due on registration day. Cash or check only.

Date: March 20th, 2025

Cost: $15

Link to register: https://myvst.co/v/rvlvylfvzz