South Dakota Symphony Orchestra

There are not enough ways to thank YOU for another successful start to the 23/24 season. Your love and support is felt and deeply appreciated. From the SDSO staff, on behalf of the orchestra and chorus, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

An opportunity to hear stunning vocal music in an equally stunning space. SDSO Chorus Director Dr. Timothy Campbell leads Transept, a vocal ensemble uniting some of the finest professional vocalists in the country with musicians in the region. Here is the concert program and artist roster, which includes some members of the SDSO orchestra and chorus.
Thursday, Dec. 21st at the Cathedral of St. Joseph.
Tickets available at https://www.transept.org/202324-season

We've wrapped up another wonderful holiday concert season with Handel's Messiah, Christmas on the Prairie in the beautiful cathedral of Hoven, SD and 'Tis the Season. Smiles, laughter, and love shared by many. Thank you for celebrating the holidays with us!!

A jazzy version of The Nutcracker and a gospel version of Handel's Messiah?! Find out more in store for Tis the Season this weekend with assistant conductor Thomas Fortner and powerhouse vocalists Rodrick Dixon and Alfreda Burke! Saturday December 9th @ 7:30p and Sunday December 10th at 2:30pm, no reason to miss this favorite holiday tradition!

'Tis the Season at the South Dakota Symphony There’s something undeniably magical about the holiday season. It’s a time of year filled with traditions, warmth, and a sense of joy that is all around us. While many things help creat…

'Tis the Season to celebrate Christmas with the symphony! Grab the family and enjoy this holiday tradition with heartwarming and jovial timeless classics. Two shows so you don't have to miss it! More details and tickets at sdsymphony.org.

Tonight's performance of Handel's Messiah at First Lutheran Church is SOLD OUT! You can still catch it on the livestream on our page or sd.net.

Handel's Messiah tonight and Saturday @7:00pm!
Details and tickets at sdsymphony.org

Welcome Christmas with the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra and Chorus! Starting this weekend with the annual tradition of Handel's Messiah at First Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. This Friday and Saturday night at 7:00pm.
The greatest story ever told.
Tickets are $30 and available at sdsymphony.org.

Give to the SDSO this ! Your gift to the Annual Fund helps transform the lives of people in our community through music education and outreach programs.

To learn how you can support the SDSO, visit https://www.sdsymphony.org/support/

ON SALE NOW!
sdsymphony.org

Monday, November 27th! Save with the SDSO.

Another fascinating read from the founder and editor of Arts Journal, Doug McLennan.

American Orchestras Could Learn Something from South Dakota Infinite choice of music in a few clicks sounds like a dream. In reality it can dull your desire and lead to what the social psychologist Barry Schwartz calls the “paradox of choice,” a kind of par…

Still on the fence about attending Celebrate America tonight? Let Assistant Conductor Thomas Fortner and storyteller Darrel Fickbohm tell you what's in store with Keloland Living Ashley Thompson -then get your tickets!
Celebrate America! tonight, November 18 at 7:30pm.

South Dakota Symphony Orchestra Celebrates America For more than 100 years, the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra has been celebrated across the state for bringing music into the lives of South Dakota Residents. The adoration of the SDSO has reached …

What better way to celebrate our home and the men and women who fight to protect it than with the powerful sound of a live orchestra, Presentation of Colors with the Ellsworth Air Force Base Color Guard, stories shared by actor and narrator Darrel Fickbohm, and the enchanting voice of soprano Andrea Ross!! We're just touching the surface.
VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY RECEIVE A 20% DISCOUNT!
More details and tickets at sdsymphony.org

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the chamber concert on Sunday, November 12 is postponed.
SDSO will announce the rescheduled date soon.
Please hold on to your tickets as they will be honored on the new date.

If you need a refund, please call
3e Encore Guest Services at
605-367-6000

We appreciate your understanding.

Recently the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra was featured in The Chronicles of Philanthropy. What an honor to be in the company of ArtsMemphis, Tennessee Shakespeare Company, Dance Theatre of Harlem and Houston Grand Opera!
"Many performing-arts organizations are struggling to recover from significant financial shocks brought on by the pandemic and audiences’ slow return. Against that backdrop, the Buntrock gift illustrates how thoughtful community outreach programs, along with traditional artistic offerings and creative forward-looking new ones can attract wider attention and support from wealthy donors."
You can read more here, sign up is free.

Performing-Arts Groups Work to Attract Big Donors After the Pandemic Downturn Organizations are asking board members to step up, appealing for planned gifts, and emphasizing their community-outreach programs.

Tomorrow night and Thursday join the SDSO, Augustana University SD School of Music and USD Department of Music as we honor our veterans with a special tribute featuring actor and narrator Darrel Fickbohm sharing their stories punctuated by music performed by the Dakota Wind Quintet.
Wednesday, November 8: Augustana University Hamre Recital Hall, Sioux Falls 7:30p
Thursday, November 9: University of South Dakota Al Neuharth Media Center, Vermillion 4p
Both events are free to the public!

Get ready for the SDSO's 2023 Gala Auction! You can help the SDSO fundraise to support music education programs by registering to participate in the online auction and donate-- whether you are at the event or in the comfort of your own home. The auction closes the night of November 4-- so get your bids in while you can! Check it out here: https://ow.ly/FZQh50Q1Kkp

There is so much to uncover in tomorrow's concert 'Scheherazade'! Pianist Emanuele Arciuli is back with the SDSO to play Lou Harrison's Piano Concerto, plus returning guest and cultural historian Joseph Horowitz will introduce Lou Harrison's Piano Concerto and present excerpts from his Naxos documentary film "Lou Harrison and Cultural Fusion" and a visual presentation by media artist Peter Bogdanoff. You'll then be taken away by the stories of 'Scheherazade'. Maestro Gier and Emanuele Arciuli shares more with Keloland Living Ashley Thompson!

South Dakota Symphony Orchestra feat. Emanuele Arciuli There’s nothing better than walking into the Washington Pavilion knowing you’re about to be transported to far-off lands through the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra’s music.It can…

Help us honor our veterans! With support of the South Dakota Arts Council, Augustana University SD School of Music and USD Department of Music presents "Community Voices: South Dakotans in Military Service" a tribute to the veterans in our state. Darrel Fickbohm, actor and storyteller has interviewed veterans and military personnel from across the state, and woven their chosen stories into a longer narrative. Mr. Fickbohm will narrate each story, punctuated by music performed by the Dakota Wind Quintet.
Wednesday, November 8: Augustana University Hamre Recital Hall, Sioux Falls 7:30p
Thursday, November 9: University of South Dakota Al Neuharth Media Center, Vermillion 4p
Both events are free to the public!

Our performance of friend and composer Jerod Impichchaachaaha Tate's "Victory Songs," part of our Lakota Music Project and album on Innova Recordings, is available for your GRAMMY® consideration in the Best Contemporary Classical Composition category! More information below:

BEST CONTEMPORARY CLASSICAL COMPOSITION
Waktégli Olówaŋ (Victory Songs) for Solo Baritone and Orchestra
Album: Lakota Music Project
Artists: Stephen L. Bryant, baritone; South Dakota Symphony Orchestra Orchestra; Delta David Geir, Conductor
Commissioned by South Dakota Symphony Orchestra
LISTEN: https://soundcloud.com/jerodtate/sets/victory-songs

Jerod Impichcha̱achaaha' Tate song cycle Waktégli Olówaŋ (Victory Songs) was commissioned in 2013 for the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra’s Lakota Music Project, part of a New Music USA’s Music Alive program. It is sung entirely in the Lakota language. The work was premiered by the orchestra on January 12, 2013. Tate served as SDSO’s composer-in-residence in 2017 and created their first Music Composition Academys, teaching both Native and non-Native student composers.

Waktégli Olówaŋ is composed in honor of Robert Moore, Lloyd Running Bear, Sr. and all Lakota warriors. It is based upon the book Indian Heroes and Great Chieftains, by Charles Alexander Eastman (Ohíye S’a). Eastman (1858-1939) was a Santee Sioux physician, writer, lecturer and reformer. His literary output is an outstanding personal account of Sioux history. Indian Heroes and Great Chieftains is a set of 15 biographies of historic Sioux warriors, most of whom Eastman knew personally.

Victory songs are traditional songs made specifically for Lakota warriors and their immediate victories and accomplishments. They were composed by a warrior who was recounting his victories in battle, or in honor of a recently fallen warrior. These songs are of great importance, for they actually serve as aural historical documents for Lakota tribal members.

Waktégli Olówaŋ is an orchestral rhapsody, inspired by Eastman’s writings, and features five of the warriors in his book: Red Cloud, Two Strike, Gall, Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull. Through symphonic and vocal poetry, each movement depicts a warrior and his deeds The introduction expresses honor and respect to the Great Sioux Nation from a Chickasaw man. Musical material is inspired by these Lakota victory songs and honor songs. Original poetry is by the composer with translations by Webster Two Hawk, Sr. (Rosebud Sioux Tribe).

The commissions from the Lakota Music Project were released as a new album on innova Recordings in October 2022.

The SDSO announces its first-ever impact report! You can see what the SDSO was able to accomplish in the community during the 2022-2023 season, thanks to your support! Check it out by visiting www.sdsymphony.org/support/

Get a head start on tonight's concert with the SDSO Digital Program, giving you details about the orchestra and the music with flexibility and convenience. You can access the Digital Program book anytime through your computer, phone, or tablet. Access details including a 'How To' video can be found at https://www.sdsymphony.org/concerts-tickets/2023-2024-digital-program/

More of a sneak peek into tomorrow night's concert Beethoven's 5th. Maestro Gier sat with Keloland Living Ashley Thompson to share what's in store. Tickets still available at sdsymphony.org!
https://www.keloland.com/keloland-living/south-dakota-symphony-orchestra-previews-first-concert/

South Dakota Symphony Orchestra previews first concert: Beethoven's 5th Symphony How can 20 years change a symphony orchestra? With Delta David Gier at the helm the answer is, “more ways than we can count”. As we’ve gotten to know David and the South Dakota Sy…

Opening night this Saturday with one of the most famous symphonies of all time! Plus Jessie Montgomery’s “Banner,” a rhapsody of the Star Spangled Banner and Adolphus Hailstork’s engaging Symphony No. 3 are on the first half of this dynamic program. Visit sdsymphony.org for tickets. We'll see you soon!