South Dakota All-State Band Concert this weekend in Aberdeen

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ABERDEEN – The 69th annual South Dakota All-State Band Concert will be held at the Johnson Fine Arts Center in Aberdeen on Saturday, March 23. 

Each year, the All-State Band brings together South Dakota’s most talented high school instrumental musicians and provides an opportunity for students to practice and perform under the direction of conductors who may be recognized around the world. 

The students participating in the 2019 All-State Band were selected through statewide competitive auditions that were held at six sites during the month of January. 

The 2019 All-State Band is made up of 182 students from 40 high schools.

The members of the All-State Band have been divided into two equal bands, with each band being directed by its own guest conductor. 

The smaller bands have been named after two of the most prominent names from South Dakota history, Lewis and Clark. 

The Lewis Band will be directed by Courtney Snyder from the University of Michigan, and the Clark Band will be directed by Paul Popiel from the University of Kansas. 

The Lewis Band will perform on Saturday, March 23, beginning at 4 p.m., followed by the Clark Band. 

Ten minutes prior to the concert, special awards will be presented by the South Dakota Bandmasters Association, the South Dakota High School Activities Association, and the Phi Beta Mu honorary music group. 

Receiving the SDHSAA Distinguished Service Award for the furtherance of high school activities in South Dakota is Tobias Rath of Rapid City Central High School.  

The doors to the concert will open at 2:30 p.m. All tickets for the All-State Concert are general admission.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for high school and elementary students.

Local musicians to perform

Lewis Band

Caitlyn Nelson – BHS, seventh chair flute

Allison Olson – Colman-Egan, ninth chair flute

Tom Ropp – BHS, first chair horn

Matt Holler – BHS, second chair tenor sax

Zachary Kofford – BHS, first chair trombone

Daniel Littlecott – BHS seventh chair trumpet/cornet

Katherine Ropp – BHS ninth chair trumpet/cornet 

Clark Band

Zander Larson – BHS, first chair bass trombone

Liberty Burckhard – Sioux Valley, ninth chair clarinet

Donovan Kreul – BHS, third chair percussion

Ellie Abraham – BHS, fourth chair trombone