USD Music Department Presents Spring Showcase

Last weekend USD’s Music Department held one of its biggest events of the year: the Spring Choral Showcase. On Feb. 25, the Spring Choral Showcase presented musical works from the four campus choral groups: Chamber Singers, Symphonic Choir, Jazz Choir and the Collegium Musicum.  Chamber Singers is an a capella choir comprised of students in […]

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USD Professor and Piano Students Visit Festival in Italy

Three USD students accompanied associate professor of music Alessandra Feris to the InterHarmony International Music Festival in Acqui Terme, Italy this past summer. The students involved were second years Hannah Koruschak, working on a masters degree in piano performance, as well as Rebecca Kelley and Ian Kocher, majoring in piano performance. Not only do the […]

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USD professors perform Ragtime for students and community

The Dakota Ragtime Trio performed at the Colton Recital Hall on Jan. 18. The trio is made up of three professors from the University of South Dakota’s music department. Darin Wadley, Director of Percussion Studies, plays the xylophone, Luis Viquez, Director of Orchestras, plays the clarinet and Todd Cranson, Director of Athletic Bands, plays the […]

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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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Fine Arts looks forward, prepares for “normal” semester

The Fine Arts building has seen many changes during the last year due to COVID-19 — changes such as smaller ensembles, livestreamed performances and limited audiences.   Before COVID-19, Bruce Kelley, dean of the College of Fine Arts, said the building was lively and had frequent performances. Although the departments have tried to continue with performances, Kelley said […]

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Clarinet masterclass: Learning how to enjoy the music

The Music Department has been hosting Clarinet Day since 2016 where students are able to learn new things from teachers from across the country. However, due to COVID-19, the event has changed and will now be entirely online, spanning the course of a couple months.  Dr. Luis Viquez, the director of orchestras and assistant professor of clarinets at USD, is […]

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Faculty recital continues through setbacks

The yearly faculty recital is put on by a group of volunteer staff members who wish to perform for students, faculty and the community. Despite experiencing small setbacks such as social distancing, the recital was able to be performed almost exactly like prior years. Assistant Professor of Horn, Amy Laursen, performed at the yearly staff recital on Jan. 25. Laursen […]

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