The Huron Symphony Orchestra

The Huron Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announce the beginning of its 51st season. Plans have been made and the concert season will kick off in October. Do you realize that Huron is the only community that conducts a seasonal symphony in all of South Dakota? Other symphonies in our state are under the management of universities, whereas, we have been on our own for many years. If you have never attended a concert in the past, we encourage you to attend.

The symphony originated in 1956 with help of small instrumental ensembles. Morine Nyquist conducted rehearsals with what was then known as the Huron College- Community Orchestra. The fact that Huron had an orchestra attracted James Patterson Jr. to join the Huron College faculty. As conductor, he increased the number of players by adding advanced young musicians and several professionals. By 1962 the orchestra was known as the Huron symphony. Today we are proud to call it the Huron Symphony Orchestra.

This year the symphony will perform in the Auditorium of Huron High School. It is the perfect place for a concert with great lighting and acoustics. During intermission the GFWC-Fortnightly Club serves delicious bars, coffee and juice. Free will donations are taken at that time for financial help with the scholarship that the symphony has been awarding for many years. This scholarship goes to a senior high school musician who has been faithful and devoted while playing and helping with the concerts. Last year we lost a dedicated member, Bruce Spillum. Bruce served on the HSO Board as well as played clarinet in the symphony for many years. The symphony board awarded a memorial scholarship last year in Bruce’s name. The Spillum family will offer the Bruce Spillum Memorial Scholarship this year.

The HSO consists of musicians ranging from 11 years of age to the 90's. The players consist of musicians from Huron and the surrounding areas. Import players are brought in from Sioux Falls, Watertown, Aberdeen, Mitchell and other South Dakota cities to fill any instrumental gaps in the symphony. We have the presence of several families that participate in the symphony together. All of the members together are essential in maintaining a fine concert season. They dedicate their Monday nights for practice and Sunday afternoons for concerts. All of the members work together to give you an impressive polished concert.

The Huron Symphony League Board of Directors are: President, Beth Neitzert; Vice-President, Peggy Eckmann; Secretary, Julie Czmowski; Treasurer, Spensor Nesson; along with Pat Erickson, Barb Evenson, Nancy Balvin, and  Michael Dramstad. They have put together a concert season that will be sure to please young and old alike