Mar 29, 2024  
2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Music Department


Dr. David Holdhusen, Chairperson
114 Warren M. Lee Center for the Fine Arts
(605) 658-3466
David.Holdhusen@usd.edu 

www.usd.edu/fine-arts/music  

FACULTY

Professors: 

Tracelyn Gesteland, Studio Voice, Opera
Susan Keith Gray, Studio Piano, Collaborative Piano, Rawlins Piano Trio
David Holdhusen, Chair, Director of Choral Activities, Conducting
Bruce Kelley, Dean, Music Theory
Christopher Kocher, Studio Saxophone, Director of Jazz Studies
David Moskowitz, Music History, Graduate Coordinator

Associate Professors:

Timothy Campbell, Choirs, Studio Voice
Paul Lombardi, Music Theory, Composition
Darin Wadley, Studio Percussion

Assistant Professors: 

Todd Cranson, Director of Athletic Bands, Studio Low Brass
Alessandra Feris, Studio Piano, Class Piano
Ioana Galu, Studio Violin, Studio Viola, Rawlins Piano Trio
Sonja Kraus, Studio Cello, Studio String Bass, Rawlins Piano Trio
John LaCognata, Director of Bands, Studio Trumpet, Conducting
Amy Laursen, Studio Horn, Music Theory, Music Education
Juan Carlos Mendoza, Studio Voice, Opera
David Sanderson, Music Education
Luis Viquez, Orchestra, Director of Orchestra, Studio Clarinet 

Instructors:

Jeff Fisher, Music Appreciation
Mike Hilson, Studio Guitar
Stephanie Kocher, Studio Flute
Eric Mosterd, Jazz Appreciation
Jared Ostermann, Studio Organ
Jeff PaulStudio Oboe
Lorrie Thomas, Studio Bassoon

MAJORS:

Music Education, B.M.
Music Performance, B.M.
Musical Arts, B.M.A.

MINOR:

Music

CERTIFICATE:

Piano Pedagogy

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

Music is one of the most exciting, challenging and creative careers you could ever choose. Regardless of your musical interests-classical, jazz, traditional, contemporary, or experimental, the music program at the University of South Dakota is excellent preparation for performance and scholarship. Our graduates go on to teach, conduct, compose, record and perform, as well as continue their educations with advanced degrees in all areas of music.

The faculty at the University of South Dakota is among the finest in the country and offers students an extraordinary 1:9 teacher-to-student ratio, ensuring you the attention you need to attain your goals. As highly accomplished performers and academic experts in their fields, our faculty members bring the essential balance of scholarship and experience to the classroom.

All music majors must audition for entrance into the program. Students seeking a music scholarship will use that audition process as meeting the requirement. Any student not seeking a music scholarship or any student applying after the scholarship process is complete should contact the Chair of the Department of Music or the appropriate faculty member in the area of study to set up an audition. A late audition may take place during the summer months or at the beginning of the semester.

All music majors must receive a letter grade of “C” or better in every music class for it to count towards graduation requirements. Music Education majors must also receive a grade of “C” or better in education classes. If a student receives a “D” or “F” in a music class or an education class, that class must be retaken.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Please contact the department for additional information about available scholarships and awards. Also see College of Fine Arts  for school level scholarships.

  • Aiello/Torkelson Scholarship
  • An Die Musick Scholarship
  • Begeman/Griffith Instrumental Music Education Scholarship
  • Bruce & Wendy Hasche Vocal Scholarship 
  • Carmen Howard Music Scholarship
  • Charlotte Picotte Hoellwarth Rabe Scholarship
  • College of Fine Arts STARS - Music
  • David Elder String
  • David William Eyres Memorial Scholarship
  • Elizabeth Kathryn Ames Music Scholarship
  • Ethel Gunderson Memorial Vocal Scholarship
  • Gary L. & Deborah C. Reeves Scholarship
  • GeLoris Akland Music Scholarship
  • Genevieve & John Truran Piano Scholarship
  • Instrumental Music Scholarship
  • J. Laiten Weed Scholarship
  • Jack L. Noble Scholarship
  • Joe Gullion Memorial Scholarship
  • Joseph Schmaderer Scholarship in Voice
  • L & R Annual String Scholarship/Development
  • Louise Hansen Music Scholarship
  • Lyric Strings Orchestra Scholarship
  • Marjorie Townsley Rawlins Music Scholarship
  • Mary Ellen Stanley Beukelman Scholarship
  • Max Leget Pipe Organ Scholarship
  • Murrell F. Kautz Scholarship
  • Music Department Summer Camp
  • Professor Randal Hale Lease, JD & Frances Peterson Lease Scholarship
  • Ray DeVilbiss Band Scholarship
  • Ringley Scholarship-Music
  • Robert C. & Leona P. Marek Scholarship
  • Ronald O. Barkl Memorial Scholarship
  • Singers Choice Scholarship
  • Usher & Barnes Abell Family String Scholarship
  • Virginia Weeks Memorial Scholarship
  • Vocal Scholarships

Student Learning Outcomes for Music Education (B.M.)

  1. Students will be able to systematically explore issues, objects or works through the collection and analysis of evidence that results in informed conclusions or judgments, and break down complex topics or issues into parts to gain a better understanding of them. 
  2. Students will design, evaluate, and implement a strategy to answer an open-ended question or achieve a desired goal. 
  3. Students will interact with other students and evaluate the effort put into team tasks, interactions with others, and the quantity and quality made to team discussions. 
  4. Students will engage in purposeful, ongoing learning activities that improve their knowledge, skills and competence in their personal and professional lives. 
  5. Students will be able to demonstrate cognitive, effective, and behavioral skills that support effective and appropriate interaction in a variety of cultural contexts. 
  6. Students will comprehensively explore issues, ideas, artifacts and events before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion, and combine or synthesize existing ideas, images or expertise in original ways reflecting a high degree of innovation, divergent thinking, and risk taking. 
  7. Music education majors will demonstrate increased knowledge and skill in the pedagogy of music teaching. (Praxis II: Music Content Knowledge exam Major Field Test: Music Praxis II: Principles of Learning and Teaching exam) 
  8. Music education majors will demonstrate pedagogical knowledge appropriate specifically to the teaching of K-12 music. (School of Education Standards for Teaching; School of Education Dispositions for Teaching) 
  9. Music education majors will demonstrate a level of musical performance competency. (Performance Juries) 
  10. Music education majors will develop increased knowledge of historical musical periods, composers, and genres. (Praxis II: Music Content Knowledge exam Subscores for Music History & Literature Major Field Test: Music exam Subscores for Music History) 
  11. Music education majors will develop increased theoretical knowledge and skills in analytical techniques applicable to a variety of musical genres. (Praxis II: Music Content Knowledge exam subscores for Music Theory Major Field Test: Music exam subscores for Music Theory) 
  12. Music education majors will demonstrate a proficient level of performance and musicianship in voice and/or on an instrument as a culmination of their musical performance training. (Senior Pre-Recital Hearing evaluations)

Student Learning Outcomes for Music Performance (B.M.)

  1. Music performance majors will develop increased knowledge of historical musical periods, composers, musical genres, and theoretical analysis skills. 
  2. Students will be able to systematically explore issues, objects or works through the collection and analysis of evidence that results in informed conclusions or judgments, and break down complex topics or issues into parts to gain a better understanding of them. 
  3. Students will comprehensively explore issues, ideas, artifacts and events before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion, and combine or synthesize existing ideas, images or expertise in original ways reflecting a high degree of innovation, divergent thinking, and risk taking. 
  4. Students will interact with other students and evaluate the effort put into team tasks, interactions with others, and the quantity and quality made to team discussions. 
  5. Students will be able to demonstrate cognitive, effective, and behavioral skills that support effective and appropriate interaction in a variety of cultural contexts. 
  6. Students will engage in purposeful, ongoing learning activities that improve their knowledge, skills and competence in their personal and professional lives.

Student Learning Outcomes for Musical Arts (B.M.A.)

  1. Students who major in Musical Arts will demonstrate increased knowledge of historical musical periods, composers, musical genres, and music theory analysis skills. 
  2. Musical Arts majors will demonstrate a proficient level of performance and musicianship in voice and/or on an instrument. 
  3. Students will engage in purposeful, ongoing learning activities that improve their knowledge, skills and competence in their personal and professional lives. 
  4. Students will be able to demonstrate cognitive, effective, and behavioral skills that support effective and appropriate interaction in a variety of cultural contexts. 
  5. Students will interact with other students and evaluate the effort put into team tasks, interactions with others, and the quantity and quality made to team discussions. 
  6. Students will comprehensively explore issues, ideas, artifacts and events before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion, and combine or synthesize existing ideas, images or expertise in original ways reflecting a high degree of innovation, divergent thinking, and risk taking. 
  7. Students will be able to systematically explore issues, objects or works through the collection and analysis of evidence that results in informed conclusions or judgments and break down complex topics or issues into parts to gain a better understanding of them.

Programs