Music Events & Workshops

Wednesday, October 7, 2026

The 23rd Annual USD South Dakota All-State Chorus Workshop will take place Wednesday, October 7, 2026. 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].

All-State Workshop Registration

All-State Schedule

All-State Workshop

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 23 - Friday, June 25, 2027

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.

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

Learn more about the Choral Directors Institute

USD Coyote Jazz Festival – Tuesday, March 23, 2027

High School Jazz Ensembles and Jazz Choirs

Learn More About Coyote Jazz Festival

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 Marching Band Parade Competition features 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.

This year's event will be held on September 18, 2026

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 18, 2026

Cost: $0.00

Register Today!

Contact: [email protected]

Thursday, November 12 - Friday, November 13, 2026

The Annual Quad State Honor Band Festival brings together the finest high school musicians from the quad state region.

Stay tuned for more information on this event.

Saturday, October 17, 2026

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 24, 2026

Join us for USD Violin/Viola and Cello/Bass Day, an inspiring event designed for high school string students who are passionate about growing as musicians and collaborating with fellow students. For the first time, USD’s Violin/Viola Day and Cello/Bass Day will take place on the same day, while continuing as two separate instrument-specific tracks, allowing students to receive focused instruction tailored to their area of study while also experiencing the energy of a larger string community.

Participants will work closely with the University of South Dakota’s outstanding string faculty Dr. Evie Chen (Violin/Viola), Dr. Sonja Kraus (Cello), and Prof. Kelly Coslet (Double Bass) as well as exceptional guest artists through masterclasses, interactive workshops, ensemble rehearsals, and performance opportunities designed specifically for their instrument.

Throughout the day, students will collaborate with fellow young musicians, receive valuable individual and group instruction, explore the vibrant musical opportunities available at USD, and experience a day centered around artistic growth, community, and the joy of making music together.

Date: September 24, 2026

Cost: $15.00

Register Today!

Contact: [email protected]

Sunday, July 11 - Friday, July 16, 2027

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 20, 2027

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

September 24, 2026

This year's event will be held on September 24, 2026.

Join us for USD Violin/Viola and Cello/Bass Day, an inspiring event designed for high school string students who are passionate about growing as musicians and collaborating with fellow students. For the first time, USD’s Violin/Viola Day and Cello/Bass Day will take place on the same day, while continuing as two separate instrument-specific tracks, allowing students to receive focused instruction tailored to their area of study while also experiencing the energy of a larger string community. Participants will work closely with the University of South Dakota’s outstanding string faculty Dr. Evie Chen (Violin/Viola), Dr. Sonja Kraus (Cello), and Prof. Kelly Coslet (Double Bass) as well as exceptional guest artists through masterclasses, interactive workshops, ensemble rehearsals, and performance opportunities designed specifically for their instrument. Throughout the day, students will collaborate with fellow young musicians, receive valuable individual and group instruction, explore the vibrant musical opportunities available at USD, and experience a day centered around artistic growth, community, and the joy of making music together.

Date: September 24, 2026
Cost: $15.00
Contact: [email protected]
Register Here