TFJO packs over 30,000 meals to feed the hungry

Then Feed Just One (TFJO) is an organization from LeMars, Iowa with a chapter here at the USD. Last Thursday, TFJO hosted its biggest event of the year, their annual packaging event in the Muenster University Center pit. This year, the organization packaged 33,264 meals to help feed the hungry Alex Bergeson, the president of […]

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USD Jazz Ensembles bring out the array of sound in jazz

USD Jazz Ensembles I and II will be performing their fall concert Wednesday Nov. 3 in Aalfs Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. The students involved in Jazz Ensemble play a variety of instruments including baritone, trombone, trumpet, piano, bass and drum set. USD professor of saxophone and jazz studies C.J. Kocher is the director of Jazz […]

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Tarot reading fundraiser for Domestic Violence Safe Options

October is LGBT+ history month, and to finish out their month of events, Spectrum and Students for Reproductive Rights (SFRR) held their first ever tarot reading fundraiser Oct. 29. The event raised money for the Vermillion Domestic Violence Safe Options Services.   President of Spectrum Isabel Young said the event provided tarot readings, oracle readings, astrology chart readings, body charts and face paint […]

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“German in South Dakota” Research Forum to help build community

Every year, the College of Arts & Sciences hosts the Humanities Research Forum series. The series allows professors from the school to give presentations about the kind of research they are doing.  In November, German lecturer Nathan Bates will present about German history in South Dakota. Bates said he is trying to get students to compare German history and […]

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Fall Choral Showcase features three choirs, diverse music

The USD Fall Choral Showcase was held in Aalf Auditorium Oct. 24 and featured music from USD’s three choirs—the Chamber Singers, the Symphonic Choir and the Collegium Musicum. The concert is the first big choir event of the year, Chair of the Music Department David Holdhusen said. The choirs performed a variety of pieces, some […]

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90th year of the Fine Arts program calls for a Celebration of Excellence

The first Celebration of Excellence honored 10 people in categories including outstanding alumni, friends and educators, as well as a special recognition award to Oscar Howe. Bruce Kelley, Dean of Fine Arts, was one of the organizers of the Celebration of Excellence.   “So we have three general categories: outstanding educators, outstanding friends and outstanding alumni. […]

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USD Symphony Orchestra returns

USD’s Symphony Orchestra returns to the stage this Friday for a full program concert with a variety of musicians and composers. Conductor and Director of the Orchaestra Dr. Luis Viquez, said he is so thankful to be back on stage with musicians. Last year, COVID-19 separated the orchestra by allowing only half of the orchestra […]

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“[title of show]” involves audience, breaks the fourth wall

The Department of Theatre hosts their second theatre production of the year, “[title of show],” Oct. 21-24. The musical tells the story of two men writing a musical about two men writing a musical. Assistant Director Jeffrey Larsen said the meta-theatrical show touches on the idea of wanting to create something and be one’s own […]

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South Dakota New Music presents music written for the world

South Dakota New Music will be performing music written by composers both local and from around the world for the first time since before the pandemic began. Paul Lombardi, USD associate professor of music theory and composition, started South Dakota New Music 10 years ago with Darin Wadley to perform recent works. Lombardi is also […]

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Music is Still Alive

USD’s music department hosted the second annual Music is Alive Festival Sunday, Oct. 17. The festival tradition began in 2020 as a way for students to perform together, as COVID-19 made it difficult to host these events indoors. The free, outdoor event took place at Prentis Park off of North Plum St. in Vermillion. Assistant […]

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