Student Conductor Concert

By: Aryana Dokter

On Friday, April 10, the University of Sioux Falls Wind Ensemble and Chamber
Orchestra had a concert full of lots of fun tunes. Additionally, students from the con
ducting class that happened in the Fall had an opportunity to conduct a piece for
one of these two ensembles.
During the class, the student conductors learned from Dr. Dave De
Hoogh-Kliewer how to conduct, including beat patterns, hearing South Dakota Sym
phony Orchestra Director Delta David Gier speak, and experimenting with different
movements. During the Spring semester, Dr. Jonathan Neiderhiser took the reins to
help the students prepare. There were nine new conductors that participated in this
concert. The conductors include Mari Becerra, Joella Sproles, Cameron Gage, Ben
Fletcher, Jordyn Maynard, Tanya Netesov, Bethany Dunkle, Aryana Dokter, and Sarah
Mawdsley. Additionally, Mitchel Groote, who has conducted pieces before, had the
opportunity to perform Vivaldi’s Spring with the Chamber Orchestra.
Cameron Gage had a unique opportunity at this concert. He composed a
piece for the orchestra entitled “He Who Goes Forth,” which is based on Psalm 126:6.
He also got to conduct this song. He said, “My favorite part about conducting is just
the opportunity to be able to kind of give a message to the audience.” He also noted
that having something in his mind that he created to share with others was a cool
opportunity.
Bethany Dunkle, who is not a part of an instrumental ensemble, had the opportunity

to hear something different when she stepped up to the podium. Her favorite
part about conducting is “getting to hear the amazing sounds that are made, mostly
because the ensemble’s awesome, but also because I’m helping lead it and direct it.”
She also mentioned that she struggled counting every now and then, which can make
it tough.