South Dakota Symphony Orchestra

The mission of the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra is: “To celebrate the tradition of live orchestral music and enrich the lives of people throughout our region.” The SDSO accomplishes this through classical and pops concerts at its home of the Washington Pavilion, touring throughout South Dakota, and chamber music in area churches. A breadth of education programs reach over 15,000 preschool through high school students annually, and award-winning community engagement programs connect to audiences from throughout the region. The South Dakota Symphony Orchestra is grounded in five core values: Community Engagement, Creating Partnerships, Lifelong Impact, Educational Opportunities, and Live Symphonic Music. The South Dakota Symphony Orchestra (SDSO) will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2022 as a community and state-wide arts leader and collaborator. The orchestra was formed in 1922 in conjunction with Augustana University, incorporated in November of 1965 as the Sioux Falls Symphony, and declared the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra in 1985 by proclamation of then Governor William Janklow. In 1978, the Dakota String Quartet was formed which established the SDSO’s first full-time, salaried orchestra musicians. Five more core musicians were added in 1982 with the establishment of the Dakota Wind Quintet. Music Director Delta David Gier has led the SDSO since 2004 and has taken the orchestra to unprecedented artistic levels and established the renowned community engagement programs the SDSO is known for today.