Music at South Dakota Mines

The music program offers a number of scholarships specifically for undergraduate students who is participating in music ensembles during their time here at South Dakota Mines. These scholarships are designed to support your studies at South Dakota Mines and reward excellence in both the ensemble playing and the community.

The number of scholarships and the amount awarded is based on two factors:
1.The monies available to be awarded, determined by the South Dakota Mines Foundation, which handles Music Scholarship investments.
2.The number and quality of the applicants, which varies from year to year.

View each scholarship listed below for more information about application requirements and award details.

 

South Dakota Mines Music Scholars Award	This scholarship attempts to identify and reward students who are leaders in music ensembles on campus. It was established by Director of Music, Dr. James D. Feiszli, using funds generated from donations at the annual Holiday Choral concerts.
Charles Hallstrom Memorial Scholarship	The Charles Hallstrom Memorial Scholarship award was established in 2013 in honor of Charles, or Chuck, who tragically lost his life in 1970 while fighting in Vietnam. Hallstrom was a South Dakota Mines student who actively participated in the Singing Engineers, the top vocal group on campus at that time.
Larry Huisenga Music Scholarship	Used to further Music Activities at South Dakota Mines, the Larry Huisenga Vocal Music Fund was established by Tamera J. Nelson (MetE86) in honor of her father, who was a lifelong singer.  It may be used as a scholarship award in any year at the discretion of the Director of Music.
Eileen Heilman Scholarship
Margret MacIntosh Music Scholarship	This scholarship was established by Dan (ChE' 77) and Nancy Carlson in honor of Dan's aunt Margret. It is to be awarded to a student who is active in the university music program.
Ronald F. & Eunice A. Miller Memorial Scholarship	Awarded to a student of good academic standing who is involved in a vocal ensemble and comes from South Dakota, the Miller Memorial Scholarship was established by Kenneth Miller (EE75) in memory of his parents.
Karen Whitehead Scholarship	The Karen Whitehead Music Scholarship fund was established in honor of former Provost Dr. Karen Whitehead to assist students who share her love of music. The Whitehead Scholarship is awarded to any student involved in the music program upon recommendation from the music director.
Music Supporters in Concert Scholarship
Arjun Ayyangar Music Scholarship	Established by Narasimhan (Vijay) Ayyangar (M.S.ChE89), this scholarship honors his son Arjun Ayyangar, an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, and his musical ability. Award recipients may not receive this award twice. They may, however, audition again for a different award.
String Theory Scholarship
Charles Snyder & Lucille Reilly Music Scholarship

 

Requirements and Criteria

Music scholarships are awarded each year based on competitive auditions to students who:

1) are in at least their second full-time semester at South Dakota Mines
2) are registered in a degree-granting program
3) have been involved in a music ensemble at South Dakota Mines
4) have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5

Award winners may audition again during their award year for the following academic year. Instrumental award winners are expected to enroll in University Orchestra, University Band, Wind Ensemble and/or Jazz Band for the academic year and perform a leadership role in one of those ensembles. Vocal award winners are expected to enroll in University Choir, Concert Choir and/or Master Chorale, assuming a leadership role in one of those ensembles. Keyboard award winners choose to audition for either band or choral awards at the time of application. Keyboard award winners will thus be expected to be involved in the ensemble(s) of that category at the discretion of the appropriate Director.

Before you apply, read these Thoughts about Music Scholarships at South Dakota Mines.

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Being part of the South Dakota Mines music family continues after graduation. Our music alumni maintain close ties, creating professional and personal networks that continue to benefit them.

Eight alumni singers accompanied the South Dakota Mines choirs on their first European concert tour in 1989, and the tradition has continued ever since. In 1993, 1996, 2001, 2006, and 2009 choirs composed of both students and alumni performed in Rapid City and on tours to Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and Ireland, winning awards and acclaim.

In 1999, the Alumni and Friends Choir, a vocal ensemble open to alumni, spouses, and friends of South Dakota Mines Music, was formalized and has developed a set of repertory that they have since performed at campus reunions, spring choral concerts, and special performance events in the U.S. and abroad.

A&F Choir Performances

2013: Rapid City, SD - 80 alumni performed at the spring concert in celebration of Dr. Feiszli's thirty years at South Dakota Mines
2004: Bellevue, WA – Meydenbauer Center
2002: Minneapolis, MN – Westwood Lutheran Church
2002: Rapid City, SD – South Dakota Mines Spring Concert
2001: Fort Collins, CO – St. Joseph’s Catholic Church
2001: Italy – Concert Tour
2000: Denver, CO – Moses Hogan Festival
2000: Rapid City, SD – South Dakota Mines Five-Year Reunion

The High Energy Machine (THEM)

Established in 1984 as a 1950s do-wop music group, THEM was soon performing in nearly every venue available from the Governor’s Hunt Club Banquet in Pierre to European festivals. THEM now soldiers on as an alumni ensemble, appearing in European tours and maintaining an active social network.

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Situated at the southeast entrance to the campus green, the Music Center is home to teaching studios, classrooms, music labs, practice rooms, and a student lounge offering a stunning view of campus. The center also houses a harpsichord and Steinway pianos dating as far back as 1859. Seating 450, the performance hall boasts acoustics and technical capabilities that support a variety of musical performances, from intimate chamber recitals to symphonies.

But music did not always have its own home on campus. For nearly 50 years, the gymnasium was the bustling center of campus life, housing concerts, theater performances, sporting events, dances, and commencement. When the King Center was constructed in 1976, athletics moved into the new complex, and so too did music. The space was then occupied by paleontology until a new paleontology building opened in 2011.

In the interim, music activities rapidly expanded, outgrowing their space in the King Center. With the old gymnasium now available, the space was repurposed and renovations began. Today, the music building is a thriving hub of concerts, rehearsals, lectures, meetings, and classes. Yet much work remains to be done: developing the lower floor into classrooms, adding audio infrastructure and performance lighting, extending concert hall seating and the stage, and renovating rooms into a recording studio and control room.

To achieve this vision of creating an exceptional performance facility for South Dakota Mines and the region, funding is needed. You can help make this dream come true by donating today. Contact Dr. Armstrong to learn more.Back to top

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