Pictured: Tanner Pietz, left, and Justin Desens, right
ABERDEEN, S.D. – Northern State University students Justin Desens and Tanner Pietz will hold their senior recital at 7:30 p.m. April 13 in Krikac Auditorium.
Desens, who plays the tuba, will perform “Oboe Concerto in D minor, Op. 9 No. 2,” by Tomaso Albinoni; “Ordner Seg,” by Øystein Baadsvik; and “Sonata for Tuba and Piano,” by Paul Hindemith. He will be accompanied by Sue Gates and Dr. Kenneth Boulton.
Pietz, a bass/baritone, will perform “At the River,” “Watchman!” and “Charlie Rutlage,” by Charles Ives; “Lied Maritime” and “Madrigal,” by Vincent d'Indy; “Night,” by Florence Price; “For You There Is No Song,” by Leslie Adams; and “Der Nussbaum,” “Der Soldat” and “Widmung,” by Robert Schumann. He will be accompanied by Kay Fischer.
Desens, the son of John Desens and Becky Desens of Sioux Falls, grew up in Aberdeen, graduating from Central High School in 2019.
He is pursuing a Bachelor of Music Education, K-12 Instrumental, and has studied with Dr. Travis Netzer during his time at NSU.
“I knew the faculty well as I’m from Aberdeen, and I liked the culture and the opportunities I knew I’d be able to have here,” he said as to why he chose Northern.
Desens will graduate in December 2023 and plans on teaching wherever he can.
Pietz, the son of Kelly and Cheryl Pietz of Aberdeen, grew up in Aberdeen, graduating from Central High School in 2019.
A Music Education Major, Pietz has studied with Michael Skyles during his time at Northern.
“I have lived in Aberdeen my whole life, and being involved in music through high school meant going to use NSU music facilities often,” he said. “I knew that I wanted to study music in college, so having NSU in town with a great music program made it a convenient choice.”
Pietz will graduate in fall 2023.
“I hope to find a music teaching job in South Dakota, teaching vocal/general music at the middle or high school level,” he said.
About Northern State University
Northern State University is a student-centered institution that provides an outstanding educational experience, preparing students through the liberal arts and professional education for their future endeavors. A regional university, Northern offers rigorous academics; diverse civic, social and cultural opportunities; and a commitment to building an inclusive environment for all points of view. Northern also offers a broad-based athletics program, sponsoring 15 NCAA Division II intercollegiate varsity sports that compete in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (NSIC). The university strives to enrich the community through partnerships such as its Educational Impact Campaign, which opened a new South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired; new athletic and recreation fields; and an on-campus regional sports complex. With the $55 million campaign, NSU has been the recipient of more than $150 million in privately funded building projects and scholarships within a decade. To learn more, visit NSU Admissions.