BHSU halls abuzz with upcoming fall music events

The BHSU Department of Music invites the community to attend a diverse lineup of student, faculty, and community performances this fall.

BHSU Yellow Jackets are humming into the 2017 fall semester with a full schedule of musical performances, from faculty recitals to dramatic student musicals. The Department of Music invites the community to enjoy over a dozen of these performances on the BHSU campus in the upcoming months.

"We've got some great players who are looking forward to the concerts coming up!" says Dr. Christopher Hahn, assistant professor of music at BHSU.

The fall events will commence with the Christopher Hahn Faculty Trumpet Recital, Sept. 28, at 7:30 p.m. in Meier Recital Hall. Hahn will be joined by Dr. Symeon Waseen, associate professor of music, and the department's new string instructor, Dr. Katie Smirnova. This faculty trio will blend trumpet, violin, and piano for a robust performance. This event is free to attend.

BHSU students will pair their vocal talents with acting skills to present Godspell, Oct. 5-7 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 8 at 2:30 p.m. in the Woodburn Black Box Theatre. They will be using the 2011 Broadway revival version to enact a modern-day, musical retelling of the Gospel of Matthew. Ticket prices vary, and can be bought at the box office before the show, or by calling Bret Juhrend, professor of theatre, at 605-642-6268.

The Department of Music is also excited to announce the return of the Madrigal Dinner, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1-2 at 6:30 p.m. After the BHSU choir room transforms into a medieval castle, the BHSU Chamber Singers will dawn their courtly attire, becoming kings, queens, and jesters for this thematic performance. Guests will enjoy an autumn-inspired array of A'viands catering while the Chamber Singers present a short musical comedy. Dinner is followed by a concert in the Recital Hall. Tickets for this BHSU tradition support the Music Department and have sold out quickly in past years. Tickets can be purchased for $40 on the BHSU website: www.BHSU.edu/madrigal

The music program at BHSU focuses specifically on training music educators through providing a comprehensive music experience. This fall, the Department of Music welcomed the largest freshman class in many years, while continuing to promote personal instructive lessons and small class sizes. Each student has the opportunity to participate in multiple arenas, including bands, choirs, ensembles, and theatre groups, enabling them to become well-rounded performers and instructors.

"The diverse experience is great," says Hahn. "We want our students to be prepared to teach anything, K-12. Our graduates typically receive jobs quickly, which speaks well for the quality of the students that are coming out of the program."

The department is able to provide many students with scholarships through the dedicated work of Friends of Music. Donations are accepted at faculty events and ensemble performances for music scholarships.

Following is a list of events and dates for fall music events. All events are in Meier Recital Hall, unless otherwise noted. Admission is free unless followed by a ($).

September
28 (Th)  Christopher Hahn Faculty Trumpet Recital 7:30 PM

October
5-8 (Th-Su) Godspell, ($) BHSU Black Box Theatre, 7:30 PM, $

12 (Th)  BH Bands Concert 7:30 PM

14 (Sa)  Northern Hills Chamber Chorale & Dakota Choral Union 7:30 PM

15 (Su)  Northern Hills Chamber Chorale & Dakota Choral Union, ($) Rapid City Performing Arts Center, 7:30 PM

November
5 (Su)    BH Student Band 2:30 PM

11 (Sa)  Nancy Williams Guest Clarinet Recital 7:30 PM

12 (Su)  Dakota Chamber Orchestra 2:30 PM

16 (Th)  BH Jazz Ensemble & Community Concert Band, 7:30 PM

19 (Su)  BH Choirs 2:30 PM

21 (Tu)  Northern Hills Honor Bands Festival (Spearfish HS Auditorium) 6:30 PM

30 (Th)  BHSU Chamber Singers Madrigal Dinner ($) 6:30 PM


December
1 (F)       BHSU Chamber Singers Madrigal Dinner ($) 6:30 PM

2 (Sa)    BHSU Chamber Singers Madrigal Dinner ($) 6:30 PM

For more information contact Christopher.Hahn@BHSU.edu or call 605-642-6888.