Welcome to the Black Hills Symphony Website

History of the Black Hills Symphony Orchestra
Since its beginning seventy two years ago, with a small group of string players who played for the purest of reasons (it satisfied their need to play music), the Black Hills Symphony Orchestra has grown substantially, now employing approximately 90 musicians, including 60 area string players. In addition to our regular season schedule, the Orchestra has combined with other local arts organizations over the years including the BH Dance Theatre to produce “The Nutcracker,” Black Hills Community Theatre for many full stage productions such as “Peer Gynt,” “Merry Widow,” “Amahl & the Night Visitor,” the Broadway Series production of “Beauty and the Beast,” and Dakota Choral Union for such presentations as the “Messiah,” “Magnifacat,” “Carmina Burana,” “Mozart’s Requiem” and in 2004, the Verdi “Requiem.”

The Orchestra and individual members also provide many educational outreach programs and musical opportunities for area youth, including the 4th Grade Concert, Music in the Schools, Young Artist Competition, the Black Hills String Retreat, the Rushmore Competition and Black Hills Suzuki School, to name a few.

Four talented individuals have conducted the Symphony during the seventy years of its existence. Alex Schneider, high school band and orchestra director, served from 1937 until 1942. Vernon Malone conducted for a time during the 40’s. In 1952, violinist and businessman Arnold Rudd took the baton until 1972 at which time it was handed off to Educator Emeritus, Jack Knowles.

Violinists who have served as Concertmaster (or Mistress) are Mary (Mrs. Alex) Schneider, Briant Davis, Evelyn (Mrs. Dane) Conger and Coral White (1974-2006), and our new concertmaster, Carol Knowles.

In 1977, the Rapid City Symphony Orchestra Society was formed as a volunteer board to administer the fiscal affairs of the Orchestra and raise funds for its operation. The Orchestra and Board were incorporated and designated as a non-profit charitable organization. The name was changed to Black Hills Symphony Orchestra in 1988 to reflect our commitment to the entire Black Hills area.

Local artists featured as soloists include pianists Marian Minty Sherman, Zona White, Mildred Calhoon, Edgar Swanson, Linda Joy, Roberta Bray, Mary Gormley, Michaela Lane, Diane Ketel, Mary Lou Torrey, Sue Lein and James MacInnes; violinists Arnold Rudd, Ben Munson, Coral White and Kenny Putnam; violist William Johnson; cellists Elizabeth Benusis and Bill Rounds; double bassist Bruce Knowles; oboist James Treat; french hornist James Bates; and vocalists Harris Torgerson, Jane Becker, Sandy Schneider, Johanna Meier, Eric Johnson, Amanda Baum and White Eagle.

Partial operating support funded by Allied Arts Fund, South Dakota Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, and City of Rapid City.