Music

Since 1882, the university band program has been an integral part of USD. The band program offers you the opportunity to perform in a variety of outstanding ensembles and obtain quality, individualized instruction on wind and percussion instruments. You'll have the opportunity to work with world-renowned guest soloists, conductors and composers. 

Concert Band

The USD Concert Band is an outstanding ensemble consisting of highly talented woodwind, brass and percussion players, including both music majors and non-music majors. The Concert Band performs the finest pieces available for winds, including traditional wind band repertoire, marches, transcriptions and the newest 21st century works. The Concert Band typically performs one concert in the fall and two in the spring. 

Coyote Pep Band

The Coyote Pep Band performs in the Sanford Coyote Sports Center for USD men’s and women’s basketball games. As a member of the pep band, you provide the soundtrack and high-energy atmosphere that leads the teams to victory. Performing the finest pop, jazz and traditional USD arrangements, Pep Band repertoire builds on that of The SOUND of USD Marching Band’s fall season. The Coyote Pep Band is composed of approximately 35 energetic brass, woodwind and rhythm section musicians, and members of the marching band receive preference at pep band auditions. 

Jazz Band

The University of South Dakota Jazz Ensembles perform a variety of music from this American art form, from classics by Basie and Ellington to new contemporary jazz works. The bands perform concerts each semester, both on campus and on tour within the region. The USD Jazz Ensemble 1 has also toured Germany and the Netherlands and has performed at the Elmhurst Jazz Festival in Chicago. Every year, USD hosts guest jazz artists on campus to work with students and perform with them. 

Percussion Ensemble 

Our students have the opportunity to participate in several unique percussion experiences, including traditional percussion ensembles, marimba ensembles and the steel drum band. Participating in the traditional and marimba ensembles requires a strong background in performing numerous traditional percussion instruments.

For students with an interest in music of the Caribbean, the steel drum band offers the chance to perform at both the beginning and advanced levels. Students with a basic understanding of note-reading and some keyboard experience will find playing a steel pan a great experience.

Symphonic Band

Our symphonic band is the premier wind band and the flagship ensemble of the university band program. Our band comprises the finest woodwind, brass and percussion players at the university, including both music majors and talented non-music majors. Concert repertoire consists of the highest quality music written or transcribed for wind instruments representing all periods of music history. There are typically two concerts a semester, which regularly feature guest soloists and guest conductors. The band tours the region annually and performs every other year at the South Dakota Bandmasters Convention.

The acclaimed choir program at USD provides students with the opportunity to be involved in a variety of outstanding voice ensembles. Students are taught by dedicated and passionate faculty who believe in developing the student as singer, musician and individual, as well as provide a quality choral experience. 

Chamber Singers

The Chamber Singers is the premier vocal ensemble at USD. Performers are selected through audition from the entire university student body. The choir's repertoire, which is primarily a cappella, includes music from the Renaissance to the present in a wide variety of styles. The ensemble holds formal concerts on campus each semester, and its annual concert tour has taken the group throughout the United States and Europe. The Chamber Singers have been selected to perform at state and regional conventions, appeared on public radio programs, and received numerous national honors and distinctions. 

Collegium Musicum

Collegium Musicum is a vocal ensemble exploring music from many genres and time periods, from early music to modern works. In frequent collaboration with other choral and instrumental groups at USD, the repertoire for the ensemble changes based on the unique group of vocalists who participate each semester.  

Symphonic Choir 

The Symphonic Choir is a large, select mixed ensemble open to students of all majors, as well as members of the Vermillion community. The ensemble performs a broad range of music, with a particular focus on both large and small-scale choral masterworks. The Symphonic Choir regularly partners with the USD Symphony Orchestra, as well as professional ensembles such as the South Dakota and Sioux City symphony orchestras.

The orchestra program at USD provides both string and wind musicians with numerous opportunities for performance and study. You will develop the creative process that will help elevate you into an accomplished musician. 

Chamber Orchestra

We offer string players the opportunity to play in a small orchestra, with or without a conductor. This elite string orchestra provides the Vermillion community and the region with performances featuring music from various periods.

Since its formation 20 years ago, the orchestra performs on campus each semester and has performed throughout South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska and Iowa. Recent guest soloists performing with the orchestra include the Kruse Duo and Luis Viquez. 

Symphony Orchestra

USD is home to the largest university orchestral program in the state of South Dakota. Both strings and wind/percussion players have unique opportunities to perform and study with internationally acclaimed musicians like the Rawlins Piano Trio; an orchestral conductor who has conducted and given recitals throughout the United States, Latin America, and Europe; and world-renowned guest artists and soloists who bring their expertise to campus each year.

The USD Opera offers students the opportunity to bring music and drama to life on the stage. The nationally award-winning program trains performers to become believable and compelling singing-actors in operatic literature from the Baroque period through the contemporary lyric theater. Opera students find out who they are as artists as they receive individual attention and personalized guidance from dedicated, highly skilled and acclaimed faculty. Find your voice, unlock your potential and step into the spotlight.