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 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
2024-2025
Officers:
Haley Armstrong, President
Jennifer Terentino, President-Elect
Kelsey Sakos, Vice-President
Lucas Ashland, Treasurer
Tim Becker, Secretary
Board:
Haley Armstrong
Lucas Ashland
Tim Becker
Ruth Brennan, BH Symphony League Ex Officio
Olya Bunger
Cabot-Ann Christofferson
Eric Clayborn
Calvin Hofer
Scott Marzluf
Marilyn Maxvold
Kelsey Sakos
Jennifer Terentino
Staff:
Bruce Knowles, Conductor
Kirsten Hollenbeck, Executive Director
Nancy Olney, Personnel Manager/Librarian
