South Dakota MUSICIAN
South Dakota MUSICIAN
2 September, 2025
FROM THE president
Danny Eye
As the new school year begins, I want to welcome all South Dakota music educators back to their classrooms It’s always uplifting to fill classrooms and rehearsal spaces with the sounds of creativity and possibility I encourage you to take a moment and reflect on why you chose a career in music education Alongside your own passion and talent, I’m certain there was a teacher who inspired you along the way. This year, you have that same opportunity with your students to help them discover their voices, build their confidence, and experience the joy and connection that only music can provide The music you make with them will stay with them far beyond the walls of your school
Throughout the year, embrace the challenges and celebrate the victories both big and small that come with teaching. Every rehearsal is a chance to build resilience, every performance an opportunity to celebrate community, and every lesson a spark that might ignite a lifelong passion.
On behalf of SDMEA, thank you for your dedication to our profession and to the students we serve Thank you for the long hours beyond the school day and for the many “hats” you’ll wear throughout your year. Let’s continue to lift each other up, share our successes, and advocate for the importance of music education across South Dakota. May this year be filled with creativity, meaningful connections, and unforgettable musical moments!
daniel.eye@k12.sd.us
October 30 - November 1, 2025
Sioux Falls Convention Center & Denny Sanford Premier Center
Middle School
All-State Band!
SDMEA Middle School All-State Band is a great opportunity for students to grow as individuals and leaders within your program Below are some reminders as we dive into the new school year:
The Middle School All-State Band will be held in Mitchell on March 6-7, 2026. It will feature guest conductors Mr. Jason Rygg (Honor Band) and Mrs. Jennifer Adams (Festival Band). Etudes were posted in May They are on the SDMEA website: https://wwwsdmeanet/middle-school-all-state-band
The director’s letter on the SDMEA website has all the information you need for deadlines, recording submissions, fee information to register your students, and more. If your school, or a neighboring school, has changed directors, please let us know! We want to be able to include all schools for this event
Please note that teachers need to be members of SDMEA in order to submit auditions for students
If you have questions, please ask.
March6&7 2026
Schools Supporting Student Opportunities Through Professional Memberships
As educators, one of our highest priorities is to provide students with meaningful experiences that extend beyond the classroom Membership in the South Dakota Music Education Association (SDMEA) is essential for granting students access to valuable events such as the Middle School All-State Band and Orchestra, Elementary Festival Choir, Freshman Festival Choir, all of which require active membership for school sponsorship
In order for students to participate in SDMEA-sponsored activities, their music director must be an active member of the organization. Membership ensures that teachers have access to the latest resources, professional development, and networking opportunities with colleagues across the state, which directly benefits our students’ musical growth
If requisitioned through the proper channels, the school can cover the cost of this professional membership as it is a legitimate and necessary expense tied to student programming. The fee would be processed like other professional association dues that are directly linked to extracurricular or instructional activities. This support from the district not only affirms their commitment to the arts but also removes financial barriers that could limit student participation
By funding SDMEA membership, we ensure our music program remains competitive, connected, and able to offer students every opportunity available to them. This investment is modest compared to the enrichment it brings to our students’ educational experiences, helping them develop discipline, creativity, and confidence that will serve them for years to come
ColbyShuck
colby.shuck@k12.sd.us
HELPFUL RESOURCES
Click on the links below for some back-to-school resources.
SD of Education New Teacher mentorship program NAfME Webinars
Back to School with NAfME
Music Honor ociety
SDMEA Freshmen Festival registration due | Oct 1, 2025
Music Education Conference registration opens | Oct 1, 2025
Middle School All State Orchestra audition window opens | Oct 15, 2025
Middle School All State Jazz Band audition deadline | Dec 18, 2025
upcoming events
FALL ‘25 | SPRING ’26
Oct 30 - Nov 1, 2025
Nov 1, 2025
Nov 12, 2025
Jan 30 & 31, 2026
Feb 20 & 21, 2026
Feb 20 & 21, 2026
Mar 2, 2026
Mar 6 & 7, 2026
Apr 13, 2026
Aug 4, 2026
Music Education Conference
Elementary Honor Choir
Freshman Festival Choir
Middle School All-State Jazz Band
Middle School All-State Orchestra
String Symposium
Elementary Festival Choir
Middle School All-State Band
Middle School Festival Choir
Summer Session
Sioux Falls,SD
Sioux Falls, SD
Salem, SD
Mitchell, SD
Rapid City, SD
Rapid City, SD
Multiple Sites
Mitchell, SD
Multiple Sites
Mitchell, SD
sdmea board of directors
PRESIDENT
Danny Eye danieleye@k12sdus
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Laura Schenk laura.schenk@k12.sd.us
WEBMASTER
Dr Mackenzie McKeithan Jensen mackenziemckeithan@gmailcom
MEMBERSHIP CHAIR
Colby Shuck colbyshuck@k12sdus
ADVOCACY CHAIR
Dr David Sanderson davidnsanderson@usdedu
CHORAL CHAIR
Rebecca Rasmussen rebeccarasmussen@k12sdus
ORCHESTRA CHAIR-ELECT
Tammy Richards tammyrichards@rccssorg
MS JAZZ BAND CHAIR
Joel van Peursem joelvanpeursem@k12sdus
ELEMENTARY HONOR CHOIR CHAIR-ELECT Vacant
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Hannah Wehlander hannahwehlander@k12sdus
FRESHMAN FESTIVAL CHOIR CHAIR
Laurie Gratz lauriegratz@k12sdus
PRESIDENT-ELECT
Kim Bogart kimbogart@k12sdus
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
Kim Bruguier kimbruguier@k12sdus
SECRETARY/HISTORIAN
Heather Nelson hnelson@ogknightsorg
SD MUSICIAN MAGAZINE EDITOR
Dr Gerrit Scheepers gerritscheepers@sdsmtedu
MS GENERAL/VOCAL MUSIC CHAIR
Ellie Whitehead ellie.whitehead@k12.sd.us
RETIRED EDUCATION CHAIR
Ron Stary ronstary@gmailcom
MS BAND CHAIR
Holly Gage holly,gage@k12sdus
MS JAZZ BAND CHAIR-ELECT
Samuel Anderson SamuelAnderson@k12sdus
ELEMENTARY FESTIVAL CHOIR CHAIR
Cheryl Tatro cheryltatro@k12sdus
IMMEDIATE PAST-PRESIDENT
Mike Bossman, EdS mikebossman@k12sdus
TREASURER
Gwen Wenisch gwen.wenisch@k12.sd.us
AWARDS CHAIR
Kris Dunlap kristendunlap19@gmailcom
COLLEGIATE CHAIR
Dr. Kevin Kessler kevinkessler@sdstateedu
TRI-M CHAIR
Dr Mackenzie McKeithan Jensen mackenziemckeithan@gmailcom
ORCHESTRA CHAIR
Laura Rehmeier laurawilsey@k12sdus
MS BAND CHAIR-ELECT
Tessa Belgum tessabelgum@k12sdus
ELEMENTARY HONOR CHOIR CHAIR
Miranda Mack mirandamack@k12sdus
ELEMENTARY FESTIVAL CHOIR CHAIR-ELECT
Gretchen Burbach gretchen.burbach@k12.sd.us
JAZZ BAND CHAIR-ELECT
Sam Anderson samanderson@k12sdus