South Dakota Symphony Orchestra
Encyclopedia
The South Dakota Symphony Orchestra (SDSO) is an American orchestra located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
and is a member of the League of American Orchestras
. Approximately 90 musicians make up the orchestra, varying from professionals to semiprofessionals. A typical season consists of several touring performances as well as ten concerts with full orchestra, five chamber concerts, and two special event performances. Concerts are held in the Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science in downtown Sioux Falls. The SDSO official song is "Alleluias for Orchestra" written by South Dakota composer Stephen Yarbrough. In 2007 the endowment for the SDSO was 2.2 million dollars a growth of 28 times since 1998.
. Conductor and music director Delta David Gier has been with the SDSO since the 2004-2005 season, and is also an assistant conductor for the New York Philharmonic
. Michael Manly of the American Symphony Orchestra League said of the SHSO, "...from its visionary music director to its passionate musicians, from its active and dedicated donors and board to its devoted and tireless staff—the South Dakota Symphony is one of those unexpected masterpieces you happen upon, whose impact manages to encompass the world. Since the 2004-2005 season Pulitzer prize-winning Paul Moravec
and Steven Stucky
have had residencies and given concerts with the orchestra. The SDSO was selected as one of two hosts for a week long residency by Japanese violin virtuoso Midori
for the 2007-2008 season.
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Sioux Falls is the largest city in the U.S. state of South Dakota. Sioux Falls is the county seat of Minnehaha County, and also extends into Lincoln County to the south...
and is a member of the League of American Orchestras
League of American Orchestras
The League of American Orchestras, known until Fall 2007 as the American Symphony Orchestra League , is an association of U.S. and Canadian orchestras. Over 950 orchestras are members, including youth, community, and professional orchestras....
. Approximately 90 musicians make up the orchestra, varying from professionals to semiprofessionals. A typical season consists of several touring performances as well as ten concerts with full orchestra, five chamber concerts, and two special event performances. Concerts are held in the Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science in downtown Sioux Falls. The SDSO official song is "Alleluias for Orchestra" written by South Dakota composer Stephen Yarbrough. In 2007 the endowment for the SDSO was 2.2 million dollars a growth of 28 times since 1998.
History and reception
The orchestra was founded in 2000 at Augustana CollegeAugustana College (South Dakota)
Augustana College is a private, liberal arts college affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States. The campus makes the school the largest private university in South Dakota...
. Conductor and music director Delta David Gier has been with the SDSO since the 2004-2005 season, and is also an assistant conductor for the New York Philharmonic
New York Philharmonic
The New York Philharmonic is a symphony orchestra based in New York City in the United States. It is one of the American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five"...
. Michael Manly of the American Symphony Orchestra League said of the SHSO, "...from its visionary music director to its passionate musicians, from its active and dedicated donors and board to its devoted and tireless staff—the South Dakota Symphony is one of those unexpected masterpieces you happen upon, whose impact manages to encompass the world. Since the 2004-2005 season Pulitzer prize-winning Paul Moravec
Paul Moravec
Paul Moravec is an American composer and a University Professor at Adelphi University on Long Island, New York...
and Steven Stucky
Steven Stucky
Steven Stucky is a Pulitzer Prize-winning American composer.Stucky was born in Hutchinson, Kansas. At age 9, he moved with his family to Abilene, Texas, where, as a teenager, he studied music in the public schools and, privately, viola with Herbert Preston, conducting with Leo Scheer, and...
have had residencies and given concerts with the orchestra. The SDSO was selected as one of two hosts for a week long residency by Japanese violin virtuoso Midori
Midori Goto
is a Japanese American violinist. She made her debut at the age of 11 in a last-minute change of programming during a concert highlighting young performers by the New York Philharmonic under Zubin Mehta. When she was 21, she formed the philanthropic group Midori and Friends to help bring music to...
for the 2007-2008 season.
Leadership
As of the 2007-2008 season- President, Jeff Hurley
- President Elect, Ronda Stensland
- Vice President, Ruth Krystopolski
- Vice President, Michelle Lavallee
- Music Director, Delta David Gier
- Executive Director, Tom Bennett