BHSU Department of Music announces spring concert schedule

The hallways of Clare and Josef Meier Hall echo as student and faculty musicians rehearse for the Black Hills State University spring concerts which include student senior recitals, concerts, faculty recitals, a trumpet day, and the first ever guest appearance of the traveling U.S. Air Force Academy Band – Academy Winds. The BHSU Department of Music invites the community to enjoy the upcoming events. All concerts, unless otherwise noted, are free, open to the public, and located in the Clare and Joseph Meier Recital Hall.

The spring events will commence with the United State Air Force Academy Band – Academy Winds from Colorado Springs, Colo., performance Thursday, Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m. This group tours the country as part of the military’s community outreach, and this will be their first visit to BHSU.

“These musicians are highly sought after,” said Dr. Christopher Hahn, assistant professor of music. “We are lucky to have them coming here.”

The Christopher Hahn Faculty Trumpet Recital will take place Saturday, Feb. 17 at 7:30 p.m. During this performance, 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 trio performance. Hahn will also perform a coronet solo, a piece of baroque music on piccolo trumpet, and a new piece entitled “Pillow Talk” by composer Nathan Hudson.

Student and community band ensembles will perform standard pieces as well as contemporary compositions in their performances. Hahn says their pieces will demonstrate how composers have developed and strengthened band music in the relatively short time it has existed.

The spring line-up also boasts senior capstone recitals that allow music majors to show off what they’ve accomplished at BHSU, according to Hahn.

“Not only is there a fair amount of music going on, but there’s also music and art—all sorts of stuff happening on campus all the time,” Hahn says. “That’s one of the great things about living in a college town; there’s always something you can check out.”

The music program at BHSU focuses specifically on training music educators through providing a comprehensive music experience. This fall, the BHSU 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 provides many students with scholarships through the dedicated work of the BHSU Friends of Music group. Donations are accepted at faculty events and ensemble performances for music scholarships.

Following is a list of events and dates for spring music events. All events are in Meier Recital Hall, unless otherwise noted. Admission is free with donations welcome.
Spring 2018 BHSU Music Dept. Concert Events:
Thursday, Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m.                               U.S. Air Force Academy Band – Academy Winds
Thursday, Feb. 17 at 7:30 p.m.                               Christopher Hahn Faculty Trumpet Recital
Saturday, Feb. 17 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.                   BHSU Trumpet Day (clinics and workshops)
Sunday, Feb. 25 at 2:30 p.m.                                  BH Bands
Wednesday, Mar. 7 (all day)                                    BHSU Band Clinic
Wednesday, Mar. 14 at 7:30 p.m.                            NDSU & BHSU Concert Choirs
Thursday, Mar. 15 at 7:30 p.m.                                Theresa Marsh Senior Recital
Sunday, Apr. 8 at 2:30 p.m.                                      Northern Hills Chamber Chorale
Thursday, Apr. 12 at 7:30 p.m.                                 BH Jazz Ensemble
Sunday, Apr. 15 at 2:30 p.m.                                    Dakota Chamber Orchestra
Saturday, Apr. 21 Time TBA                                     BH Choir Concert: Rapid City (TBA)
Sunday, Apr. 22 at 2:30 p.m.                                    BH Choirs Concert
Friday, Apr. 27 at 7:30 p.m.                                      BH Bands Concert
Saturday, Apr. 28 from 8 a.m.—12 p.m.                   Black Hills Area Music Teachers Association Spring Piano Festival
Sunday, Apr. 29 at 2:30 p.m.                                    Katie Zerbst Senior Recital