Your Symphony

Bruce Knowles

Artistic Director & Conductor

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

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

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

All musicians (other than principals ) in all sections are listed alphabetically.

Sections will be listed in playing order in the program for each concert.

Click each instrument to view the roster.

Violins
1st Violins

Amanda Swartz, Concertmaster
Joe Berendse
Allen Cornford
Kayla Giesey
Ashley Julius
Carol Knowles
Elizabeth Knowles
Meghan Knowles
Patrick Knowles

2nd Violins

Marilyn Maxvold, Principal
Kolton Arthur
Rachael Bunger
Deena Davis
Nicole Free
Lesa Koscielski
Sydney Miller
Dori O’Connor
Brady Riker
Katie Sprague
Connor Stuck
Shayna Weger
Violas
Cullen Knowles, Principal
Chris Budd
Dominick Davis
Susan Guthrie
Jennifer May
Avery Massey
Emily Pflaum
Madison Richardt
Charlie Savot
Isabelle Schild
Kaylie Tupper
Caleb Van Vleet
Laura Wilsey
Cellos
Elizabeth Benusis, Principal
Alec Doyle
Bill Evans
Caitlin Gerdes
Cordelia Grey
Marta Koscak
Martha Robinson
Carlynn Savot
Logan Stone
Double Basses
Kraig Long, Principal
Sue Griffith
Christopher Johnson
John Knowles
Kate Mathews
Manuelito Trujillo
Tyler Woolsey
Flutes
Julie Anderson, Principal
Olya Bunger
Helen Van Dam
Oboes
Nancy Olney, Principal
Anna Hughes
Paige Werner
English Horns
Nancy Olney
Paige Werner
Clarinets
Deb Knowles, Principal
Jackie Ott
Bass Clarinet
Christine Leichtnam
Bassoons
Erika Olson, Principal
Heidi Perrett
Contra Bassoon
Steve Dalton
Horns
Skye van Duuren, Principal
Gina Arp
Sarah Decker
Laurie Johnson
Victoria Palmreuter
Jennifer Stelzig
Trumpets
Christopher Hahn, Principal
Haley Armstrong
Shane Bradford
Rick Hamil
Calvin Hofer
Nick Ries
Trombones
David Blauer
William Holst
Wade Johnson
Kevin Rathert
Bass Trombone
Tuba
Joel Adams
Timpani
Andrew Simco
Percussion
Carol Gulbransen, Principal
Balie Albrecht
Dillon Dahlke
Meredith Meersman
Alan Temple
Harp
Jane Ann Hamman
Anna Vorhees
Key Board
Diane Ketel