Department of Music

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The SOUND of USD

Join our long-standing tradition, open to all students.

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Let the Music Take You Away

A degree in music from USD can lift you up and take you in any direction you desire.

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USD Chamber Singers

The premier vocal group holds auditions each fall.

Learn More About the Chamber Singers

Discover your talents, share your passion and realize your dream.

We provide students with the knowledge and skills to become professional musicians – performers, educators, scholars and lifelong learners. Our students are supported by more than $240,000 in scholarships each year. We offer students opportunities for musical development, leadership growth and personal enrichment through mentored performances, classroom study, individual instruction and guided research.

Music Programs

Featured

  • Photo of 2 flag.

    Vietnam Veteran’s Art Work Comes Home

    VERMILLION, S.D. – Galen A. Brown, native South Dakotan, USD alumnus and a Vietnam U.S. Marine Corp Purple Heart Recipient, will be honored by a retrospective of his artwork at the Day Gallery in the Warren Lee Center for the Arts at the University of South Dakota. The show ...

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  • USD Opera Production to Focus on Plight of Refugees for Spring Production

    VERMILLION, SD – The struggle of freedom from persecution for refugees amid the maddening nature of an unrelenting bureaucracy will be the focal point of USD Opera’s spring production of “The Consul” at the end of this month in Aalfs Auditorium.

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Fine Arts Events All Fine Arts Events

June 16, 2018

The Little Pour on the Prairie

Join us for the annual iron pour! Watch sparks and molten iron or make your own iron mold. The pour will be held at 30635 456th Avenue in Volin. Bring personal protective gear if you are planning to pour. Camping spots and food are available for a small fee; otherwise, bring snacks and camp chairs to enjoy the show. Contact Chris Meyer at Chris.Meyer@usd.edu for more information.

June 20, 2018

USD Band Directors Institute

USD is honored to welcome James Curnow as this year's Band Directors Institute clinician. Mr. Curnow has taught in all areas of instrumental music. He is a member of the ABA, CBDNA, NBA and ASCAP. In his many musical capacities he has traveled throughout the US, Canada, Australia, Japan and Europe where his music has received wide acclaim. He has won several awards for band compositions and has been commissioned to write over two hundred works for varied choral and instrumental ensembles. He has published over four hundred works. For complete bio, visit http://c-alanpublications.com/brands/Curnow%2C-James.html. For information about the Band Directors Institute, please visit http://www.usd.edu/fine-arts/music/band-directors-institute .

June 20, 2018

USD Choral Directors Institute

USD's choral area is excited to welcome Sophia Papoulis as this year's Choral Directors Institute clinician. Ms. Papoulis is a conductor and creative director for the Foundation for Small Voices, an organization dedicated to crossing boundaries to raise awareness and funds worldwide for music and mentoring programs for children. In her many capacities she gives music and education workshops and guest-conducts choruses around the world. She is a graduate of the Ithaca College School of Music and is a member of the Choral Music Experience artistic faculty there. For complete bio, visit https://www.chorusamerica.org/conf2015/sophia-papoulis . For more info about the Choral Directors Institute, please visit http://www.usd.edu/fine-arts/music/choral-directors-institute .

July 8, 2018

USD Summer Music Camp 2018

The USD Department of Music invites junior and senior high school students to spend a week on campus learning about music, having a great time, making friends and spending time in locations across the USD campus. Many of our campers keep coming back, year after year, to learn more and have more fun. For application and more information, please visit http://www.usd.edu/fine-arts/music/summer-music-camp .

July 15, 2018

67th Annual USD Summer Music Camp

The USD Department of Music has been hosts pre-college musicians for a week of music and learning and fun! For camp and registration information, visit http://www.usd.edu/fine-arts/music/summer-music-camp. Go to USD Summer Music Camp to check out past camps on Facebook. We hope to see you summer, 2018!