Choral Directors Institute

Wednesday, June 23 to Friday June 25, 2027

Overview & Costs

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 three-day institute will include large ensemble reading sessions, master classes and clinic sessions that focus on a wide variety of teaching subjects for choral directors. The tuition costs may be paid online, by check with pre-registration or on the first day of the institute. Participants are highly encouraged to pre-register to ensure an appropriate number of reading packets are available. Registration for the institute is $250 to attend in person. Registration for online only participation is $325. 

Register Online 

Registration Form 

Guest Clinician:  Greg Gilpin

Greg Gilpin is a celebrated ASCAP award-winning choral composer and arranger and a highly respected choral conductor. He is known throughout the United States leading performances at New York City’s iconic Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center as well as Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. His international appearances include the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia, Royal Festival Hall in London, England and Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavik, Iceland. Mr. Gilpin and is Director of Educational Choral Publications for Shawnee Press, a distinguished choral publisher and is a proud member of ACDA, NAfME, SAG-AFTRA, and is a Life-Loyal Member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Mr. Gilpin is also a producer and musician in the recording industry. In 2021, he wrote the score for the award-winning short film, “Rosie’s Rescue” and was awarded “Best Score” for this same movie. He has also teamed up with well-known opera singer, Angela Brown, and created the world premiere of a thrilling new arrangement of “What Child is This?”, debuted by Ms. Brown and the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir. 

Housing

Participants have the option of staying on campus or planning their own accommodations during the institute. Participants wishing to stay on campus may stay in air-conditioned, single occupancy residence hall rooms at a rate of $55 per night plus applicable tax, pending Board of Regents approval. These rates do not include bed linens or towels.

Optional Graduate Credit

Participants have the option to earn graduate credit for participation in certain sessions. Payment of tuition ($40 per credit hour) for graduate credit is due on the day of registration. Tuition rates are set by the South Dakota Board of Regents and are subject to change without notice. Selected clinicians and/or USD faculty instruct all sessions.

MUS793 Choral Rehearsal Concepts and Classroom Methods Master

Master classes and clinics focusing on teaching materials, techniques and pedagogy for music educators, grades K–12.

MUS793 Educational Music for Choral Ensembles

Reading sessions focusing on a wide variety of choral music for public school choirs, grades K–12. Materials will include both standard works and new releases from major publishers.

MUS793 Contemporary Issues in Choral Pedagogy 

Seminars and round table discussions to allow the choral director to focus on current trends in the area of choral music education. A written final project is required.

For questions or more information, contact the Chair of Music David Holdhusen at (605)-658-3467, or at [email protected].