USD Department of Music

07/04/2026

The USD Opera production of The Gondoliers has been named a Finalist for The American Prize in Opera Performance, and Dr. Tracelyn Gesteland has been named a Finalist for The American Prize in Opera Stage Direction. The competition continues and the winners will be announced soon. 
Congratulations to the cast, orchestra, crew, and artistic team!

06/29/2026

Wish our USD singers luck as they compete at National NATS later this week!!

Four University of South Dakota voice students have advanced to the semifinal round of the National Student Auditions sponsored by the National Association of Teachers of Singing.

06/25/2026

The 2026 USD Directors Institutes have begun. We are excited to have Brian Balmages - Composer / Conductor and Dr. Andrew Last as guest clinicians this year. Welcome to all the area music teachers who are on campus.

06/09/2026

The USD Band and Choir Directors Institute is coming up fast. We hope you will join us with clinicians Brian Balmages and Andrew Last. See you June 24-26. Get registered today!

The University of South Dakota’s Choral Directors Institute is an intensive program designed to expose music educators to the best in current and standard literature in addition to teaching methods and materials. We are excited to once again offer the institute in person on the USD campus in Vermi...

05/16/2026

Three USD students have advanced to the national semifinals of NATS and will compete in San Antonio in July!

Each of these singers qualified at the regional and national preliminary rounds of competition and are now in the top 15 of their respective divisions nationwide.

Congratulations to:

Clara Norell- Advanced Classical Treble
Trayden Goodman- Lower College Classical TBB
Emma Breugem- Lower College Musical Theatre Treble

Jennifer Van Peursem was their collaborative pianist.

They are students of Dr. Tracelyn Gesteland.

05/03/2026

Last chance to experience the fun and beauty of “The Light in the Piazza” today at 3pm!

Tickets are available starting at 2pm in Slagle Hall (Aalfs Auditorium):

$15 adults / $12 seniors (62+) / $5 k-12.  USD students and faculty free with university ID. 

Photos by Jonathan Allender-Zivic

05/01/2026

Last call for online tickets! ✨

Join us as our extraordinary young artists transport you to the radiant light of Florence—where music, love, and beauty are everywhere. Don’t miss this unforgettable journey.

Secure your seats now before online sales close at midnight tonight!

Tickets:

https://app.arts-people.com/?show=319422

Tickets are also available at the door one hour before curtain (cash or check only).

Saturday show at 7:30 PM
Sunday show at 3:00 PM
Aalfs Auditorium inside Slagle Hall 

04/29/2026

Don't miss the show that premiered on Broadway and won 6 Tony Awards, 5 Drama Desk Awards, and a Grammy nomination! Come see "The Light in the Piazza" featuring the talented young artists of the USD Opera!

Tickets are available in advance here: https://app.arts-people.com/?show=319422
You can also get them one hour before curtain (cash or check only).

We’d love to see you in Aalfs Auditorium for a show you won't forget!

04/24/2026

Tonight is the night! USD Symphony Orchestra and Choirs Concert - The American Spirit at 7:30 in Aalfs. There will be over 150 musicians on stage. It’s going to be an inspirational evening.