We offer annual music education and entertainment opportunities for the region, including NSU Instrument Day, South Dakota Jazz Festival and Summer Arts Education Institute.

ALL-STATE ORCHESTRA WORKSHOP

FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

PREPARING FOR SOUTH DAKOTA ALL-STATE ORCHESTRA AUDITIONS

 

All high school students are welcome to attend the All-State Orchestra Workshop and learn from Aberdeen University-Civic Symphony members and Northern faculty!

  • Dr. Christopher Stanichar, assistant professor of music and AUCS director, will conduct the All-State Orchestra literature in a side-by-side reading with students and AUCS musicians
  • Dr. Stanichar will give hints about tempos and interpretations of the music
  • Students will work on the same literature required for All-State Orchestra auditions
  • Northern faculty and AUCS members will offer a question-and-answer panel and providing tips for a successful audition

Register at the door the night of the workshop. For more information, contact Dr. Stanichar.

Arts Education Institute

July 15-17, 2024

NSU Campus 

 

 

The annual Arts Education Institute (AEI) offers professional development in the arts for South Dakota teachers and pre-K-12 administrators. However, you don't have to be an educator to attend AEI - everyone is welcome to enjoy this fun-filled week of learning featuring:

  • Ways to infuse the arts into classrooms
  • Curriculum development
  • Art, choral and music workshops

 

AEI is offered for up to three graduate, undergraduate or recertification credits (optional).  For more information, contact Ms. Shari Kosel of Arts South Dakota or NSU's  Ms. Nadya Preszler, or visit Arts South Dakota.

 

Register

NSU JAZZ CAMP

July 17-20, 2024

Camp director is Dr. Terry Beckler. Jazz campers will have the opportunity to play in jazz groups, take lessons and learn about improvisation, enjoy social/recreational activities and participate in nightly jam sessions.

 

JAZZ BIG BAND REHEARSAL

All students will have the opportunity to participate in a jazz big band. Rehearsals will be held each day of the camp, with a final concert on Saturday. Students will learn to play in a variety of jazz styles to include swing, Latin and funk/rock.

 

LESSONS

Each student will have one lesson. Lessons help with the basics of tone and technique as well as jazz style, and include instruction in jazz improvisation.

 

IMPROVISATION CLASS

Classes will be divided into beginning, intermediate and advanced improvisation. This is a great time for students to get their feet wet or improve skills they already have.

 

For more information, call 605-626-2497.

 

Register

NSU Voice Camp

July 17-20, 2024

 

The NSU Voice Camp is the ideal camp for young singers in grades 7-12 who love to sing and want to learn more about their voice and the world of the singer-actor in a supportive atmosphere.

 

Classes

A typical day includes:

  • Vocal warmups
  • Health and care of your voice
  • Stage deportment
  • Song interpretation
  • Diction for singers
  • Acting
  • Jazz
  • Movement
  • Small-group ensembles and choir
  • Solo literature
  • Musical and vocal technique
  • Recreational and social activities

 

Lessons

Each student will have one voice lesson. Lessons will focus on posture, breathing, breath support, healthy production and projection of the voice.

 

Students are asked to bring one prepared song - a classical art song, age-appropriate aria, folk song or musical theatre selection - to camp, which will be worked on in lessons and classes. It is helpful if the song is memorized, or close to memorized. If you do not have a song to bring to camp, one will be assigned to you to work on during lessons.

 

For more information, contact Dr. Darci Bultema, Voice Camp director and professor of music, voice and opera; or call 605-626-2497.

 

Register

CHORAL LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP


2024 Date TBA

The Northern State University Choral Leadership Workshop is designed to help vocal music instructors and high school singers prepare music for South Dakota All-State Chorus. Students need not be members of All-State Chorus to participate. Experienced conductors will also present healthy vocal techniques and helpful tips about the music. 

For information, please contact Dr. Timothy Woods.


Rushmore National Music Camp: Junior High Week

July 28-August 2, 2024

Johnson Fine Arts Center

NSU Campus

 

Band students entering grades 6-9 are welcome to attend the Rushmore National Junior High Music Camp on Northern's campus in Aberdeen. Guided by camp counselors, students stay in Northern dorms and enjoy meals in our dining hall, the Wolves' Den. The week's final concert is free and open to the public.

 

The camp offers many performance opportunities and individual lessons from music educators and professionals, as well as daily recreational activities. For details, visit Rushmore Music Camp.

NSU Band Clinic

2024 Date TBA

The NSU Band Clinic is the longest-running band festival in South Dakota, and takes place in the beautiful Johnson Fine Arts Center. The festival consists of two student bands that are equal in size and balance, and includes workshops for students and directors.

 

The instrumentation of the bands is based on director nomination and EVERY student nominated will be chosen to participate. The nomination deadline will be announced. Late nominees may be accepted but are not guaranteed to be listed in the program.

 

The clinic runs from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., with check-in from 8-9 a.m. The final concert is at 3 p.m. in the Jewett Theater of the Johnson Fine Arts Center. Lunch is on your own, although students are welcome to eat on campus in the Wolves Den. 

 

For more information contact: terry.beckler@northern.edu.

 

Register Now

Friends of the Arts/NSU Young Artist Competition

For Regional High School Juniors and Seniors

 

2025 dates TBA

 

 

 

Learn More about the Competition

 

 

Annual South Dakota Jazz Festival

February 29, 2024

 

Start your jazz festival season at Northern! The South Dakota Jazz Festival will be held in Johnson Fine Arts Center at Northern State University. Vocal jazz, combos, and big bands are welcome to participate in competitive and non-competitive categories to best serve musicians and music educators.

 

Ensembles eligible to perform at the festival

  • Big Band: A minimum of nine instrumental musicians performing with the traditional big band part assignments
  • Jazz Combo: A maximum of eight musicians - usually with at least a bass, drums, and piano or guitar. Including instrumentalists or solo singers is very common.
  • Vocal Jazz Ensemble/Swing Choir: A vocal ensemble that performs jazz with a minimum of dancing. (No show choirs, please)
  • Details and Rules

Contacts

Dr. Grant Manhart, grant.manhart@northern.edu, 605-626-2982