“The Music is Alive Festival was born out of necessity during COVID and, now in its fourth year, has become one of the most popular performances of the year for the community,” said David Holdhusen, Ph.D., chair and director of choral activities in the Department of Music. “The event has become bigger every year. This year we are adding additional food vendors, the Vermillion Children’s Choir will perform, and we will have USD art students showcasing and selling their work.”

This is also the fourth year that the university has partnered with the Vermillion High School to provide the community with a variety of musical performances.

“The festival is a wonderful opportunity to bring all levels of music in Vermillion together in one place,” Holdhusen said. “By having the USD music department collaborate with Vermillion High School and now the Children’s Choir, all entities expand their audience base. It is a chance for more people to hear the outstanding music being produced across the community and, maybe, expose some to ensembles and talent they didn’t know existed in Vermillion.”

The festival will include 10 ensembles from USD, Vermillion High School and the Vermillion Children’s Choir. 

Schedule of Performances

  • 2 p.m. Pride of Vermillion
  • 2:20 p.m. USD Jazz Band
  • 2:40 p.m. USD Symphony Orchestra
  • 3 p.m. Rhythm in Red
  • 3:15 p.m. Vermillion Children’s Choir
  • 3:25 p.m. Percussion Ensemble
  • 3:40 p.m. USD Chamber Singers
  • 4 p.m. USD Symphonic Band
  • 4:20 p.m. USD Chamber Orchestra
  • 4:40 p.m. The SOUND of USD

The event is free to the public, and patrons are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets to move around the park freely between performances. The concerts will be centered around the stage area on the south side of the park. There will be three different locations in that area where performances will take place.

Press Contact
Hanna DeLange
Contact Email [email protected]
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