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The South Dakota State University School of Performing Arts will host the In-Service Music Conference Feb. 12-14.

The conference brings music educators from across the state to the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center for a series of workshops and concerts. Included under the umbrella of the in-service are the 90th annual South Dakota Bandmasters Association Clinic and the 56th SDSU Choral Day.

Always a highlight of the conference is the SDSU Elementary Festival Honor Choir. Angela Kasper, a Minneapolis-based choral scholar with 32 years of experience in conducting children’s choirs, will lead over 180 selected elementary-aged students in a live performance. Eric Nelson, professor of music at Emory University, will conduct the Choral Day evening finale, titled The Festival of Song.

Serving as the artists-in-residence for the conference is Imani Winds, a four-time Grammy nominated woodwind quintet known for inspiring audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Also providing master classes in music education are Idaho educators Myron Peterson and Mary Crandell.

Bands performing during the conference are Aberdeen Central High School Jazz Band, Brookings High School Symphonic Band, Canistota High School Band, Rapid City Stevens Cadet Ninth Grade Band, the Augustana Band, Black Hills State University Wind Ensemble and the South Dakota State University Wind Symphony. Visiting choirs include Northern State University Chamber Singers, T.F. Riggs Concert Choir and Chamber Choir, the Roosevelt Concert Choir and the South Dakota State University Concert Choir.

Three performances are free and open to the public. On Thursday, Feb. 12, the SDSU Choral Day Elementary Festival Honor Choir will perform at 4:45 p.m. in the Larson Memorial Concert Hall. The Festival of Song, featuring two high school honor choirs and the SDSU Concert Choir, will perform Thursday at 7:30 p.m. The SDSU Wind Symphony will perform a concert on Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. in the Larson Memorial Concert Hall.

For more information, visit the In-Service Music Conference webpage.