USD Department of Music

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.

04/24/2026

Enjoy a little taste of Legacy Swing, USD’s Vocal Jazz Choir, from tonight’s performance at the AV Lounge.

04/22/2026

Get your tickets now for USD Opera's "The Light in the Piazza"! This is a beautiful American work that premiered on Broadway, composed by the grandson of Richard Rodgers of Rodgers & Hammerstein fame. The music has everything from sweeping Puccini-like melodies to 1940s American swing, along with a poignant story which will make you laugh and touch your heart.

Tickets are available now: [https://app.arts-people.com/?show=319422]