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Your Symphony
Bruce Knowles
Artistic Director & Conductor
The Mission of the Black Hills Symphony Orchestra
The Mission of the Black Hills Symphony Orchestra
To be the orchestra for the Black Hills community, performing classical music at a high level, exceeding audience expectations, and supporting instrumental music education.
History
History
The Black Hills Symphony Orchestra is a semi-professional community orchestra located in Rapid City, South Dakota.
In the 1933, a small group of string players formed the Rapid City Symphony Orchestra Society, since then, the (renamed) Black Hills Symphony Orchestra has grown substantially, now employing approximately 90 musicians. Each year, the BHSO presents a series of symphony concerts for the Black Hills area, including a very popular New Year’s Eve pops concert and the Symphony Safari (a free concert presented for all Rapid City area fourth grade students.) The Black Hills Symphony and its musicians are in high demand for performances with other Black Hills area arts organizations, providing pit orchestras for Black Hills Community Theatre, the Black Hills Playhouse, and Black Hills Dance Theater. We have also combined with the Dakota Choral Union, Black Hills State University Choruses, and South Dakota School of Mines Choruses for larger orchestral and choral works.
The Black Hills Symphony Orchestra provides many educational outreach programs and musical opportunities for kids and young people, including the BHSO Student Apprentice Player Program, the Symphony Safari/ 4th Grade Concert, Music Memory, and the Young Artist Competition.
The BHSO has had five conductors over its 80 plus year history. 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 the early 70’s, at which time it was handed off to Jack Knowles. Jack Knowles served as Conductor from 1972 until 2008, when Bruce Knowles became the Symphony’s Conductor. Bruce Knowles has worked as orchestra director at Central High School for over thirty years, developing a reputation for excellent, award-winning orchestras.
Musicians
Board of Directors
BHSO Board of Directors
2023-2024
Officers:
Haley Armstrong, President
Kevan Gray, President-Elect
Sequoia Crosswhite, Vice-President
Cabot-Ann Christofferson, Treasurer
Kelsey Sakos, Secretary
Board:
Haley Armstrong
Jamie Al-Haj, Past President
Lucas Ashland
Ruth Brennan, BH Symphony League Ex Officio
Olya Bunger
Cabot-Ann Christofferson
Sequoia Crosswhite
Kevan Gray
Marilyn Maxvold
Kara Mills
Anthony Nesland
Kelsey Sakos
Jordan Seidel
Jennifer Terentino
Michael Wheeler
Staff
Bruce Knowles, Conductor
Kirsten Hollenbeck, Executive Director
Nancy Olney, Librarian
