Chamber Singers receive national recognition

University of South Dakota junior Sopida Trageser practices singing every day. For more than 10 years, Trageser has been involved in music.

“In my free time, I usually like to look at music 30 minutes a day,” she said.

After countless hours of practice, University of South Dakota Chamber Singers, such as Trageser, are being recognized for their dedication to music. 

Practicing three times a week, the 40-member choir was recently awarded the “Honored Artists” award by The American Prize. The American Prize consists of non-profit competitions created to acknowledge and reward the best performing arts groups in the U.S.

The “Honored Artists” award also recognizes the “sustained excellence” of individuals and organizations who have competed in multiple competition seasons in the performing arts.

David Holdhusen, director and conductor of the USD Chamber Singers, said he was nothing but satisfied with this accomplishment.

“It totally took me by surprise,” Holdhusen said. “It was during the break. I received an email from them which said, ‘We are offering this first-time award and would like to recognize you.’”

Holdhusen said he was reminded of what the outcome of hard work and perseverance can be after he was informed of the choir’s distinction.

“This is the first time this award has been offered (to us),” Holdhusen said.

Even though recieving the honor was new to them, he indicated this wasn’t the first time the choir had been considered by The American Prize.

“In the past, we’ve been recognized as a finalist,” Holdhusen said. “We have made the final several times, but were never able to win the award.”

To win the award, a group must be a finalist at least three times and selected by one of the judges that have heard them sing over a period of time.

“It was great to be recognized for what they called ‘sustained excellence,’” Holdhusen said. “Things like this are good motivators for the students, but more than anything it’s the music and their drive.”

Holdhusen said after earning this award he would like the choir to work toward earning even more accomplishments.

“Every year we want to try to get better,” he said.

With this prize on the chamber choir’s trophy shelf, Holdhusen is confident in what he and his students are accomplishing.

“It’s a motivating fulfillment to know that we are doing good things in the choral world,” Holdhusen said.

Sophomore Seth Pierce has been involved in choir since sixth grade and said he thought the award would be a good way to get the Chamber Singers’ name out into the music community.

“I think it’s important to be recognized for something so great,” Pierce said.

Members of Chamber Singers said they are aware of the importance of the distinction.

“This helps a lot of the new members understand how great the ensemble is and how much we are being recognized,” Trageser said.

(Photo: The Chamber Singers, under the direction of conductor David Holdhusen, practice Jan. 16 in the Warren M. Lee Center for Fine Arts. Ally Krupinsky / The Volante)