Ensembles

The Singing Engineers is South Dakota Mines' premiere vocal ensemble. An award-winning group, all members must be outstanding vocal musicians and in either University Choir or Concert Choir. The choir performs everything from Gregorian chant to vocal pop music, and makes appearances at professional music conferences, alumni chapter events, and prestigious venues in the US and in Europe. Contact Dr. Gerrit Scheepers at gerrit.scheepers@sdsmt.edu for more information.

The Concert Choir is an auditioned, mixed voice ensemble that has a reputation for excellent performances locally and world-wide, earning first-place awards in international choral competition and drawing large crowds at its highly-anticipated concerts in Rapid City each year. The elite ensemble showcases the commitment and skills of vocalists at Mines and students will also experience tremendous musical growth each semester. The Concert Choir meets on Monday and Wednesday from 6:30-7:45pm to rehearse and performs on-and off-campus several times each semester. Contact Dr. Gerrit Scheepers at gerrit.scheepers@sdsmt.edu for more information.

University Choir is a large, non-auditioned, mixed-voice ensemble that meets on Thursday evenings from 7:00 - 9:00 pm. Open to South Dakota Mines students, faculty and community members, the University Choir focuses on the vocal/musical development of the individual singer while providing quality musical experiences. Contact Dr. Gerrit Scheepers at gerrit.scheepers@sdsmt.edu for more information.

Hardrockappella Jazz is a small vocal ensemble, focusing primarily on jazz and pop genres. The ensemble meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:00pm-5:50pm. All members must be outstanding vocal musicians and in either University Choir or Concert Choir. Contact Dr. Gerrit Scheepers at gerrit.scheepers@sdsmt.edu for more information.

Wind Ensemble is an auditioned, one-on-a-part, concert band. Started in Fall 2017, this ensemble allows the top wind, brass and percussion students to perform classic concert band repertoire and orchestral transcriptions at a very high level as well as exploring new compositions and modern music. The Wind Ensemble meets on Tuesday and Thursday from 5 - 6:15pm to rehearse and performs on-and off-campus several times each semester. Contact Dr. Haley Armstrong haley.armstrong@sdsmt.edu for more information.

Various forms of jazz ensembles have existed at the institution since the 1970s. Quite often, members of the Jazz Band have formed smaller jazz combos to improve their music experience. The full Jazz Ensemble meets on Monday and Wednesday from 5-6:15pm to rehearse and performs on- and off-campus several times each semester. Contact Dr. Haley Armstrong haley.armstrong@sdsmt.edu for more information.

The South Dakota Mines University Band is a non-auditioned instrumental concert band that meets on Wednesday evenings from 7:00-9:00 pm to study music ranging from traditional marches to modern band compositions. The ensemble performs at least one concert per semester. Open to community members as well as South Dakota Mines students, staff and faculty. Contact Dr. Haley Armstrong haley.armstrong@sdsmt.edu for more information.

South Dakota Mines' large string ensemble is open to students, faculty and community members. The University Orchestra meets on Tuesday evenings in the Music Center, 7:00-9:00 pm. Literature ranges from chamber music to larger orchestral works. Contact Ms. Schnittgrund for more information.

The Hard Rocker Pep band performs on the sidelines for South Dakota Mines Football, Volleyball and Basketball games is a big part of the campus culture that is Mines! This student organization is completely student run including five officer positions and student conductors. Any wind instruments is welcome to try out as well as any percussionist for our full drumline. Contact Dr. Haley Armstrong haley.armstrong@sdsmt.edu for more information.