The interview posted above is from SDPB’s daily public affairs show, In the Moment, with Lori Walsh.
The Washington Pavilion and the Augustana University School of Music are partnering to lead the Sioux Falls Municipal Band after its bandmaster retired.
Christopher Hill is retiring after 24 years with the band.
“Chris, for the last 24 years, has just continued to nurture this band’s traditions, to elevate its levels,” Peter Folliard, dean of Augustana School of Music, said. “Chris’ attachment to the South Dakota Symphony, to the Augustana School of Music is part of a tradition that we’ve seen between a relationship with Augustana and the Sioux Falls Municipal Band for the better half of 50 years.”
Folliard says the band already has summer events in the works and will perform across Sioux Falls.
The Augustana School of Music will provide the musical leadership for the band. This will include planning rehearsals, programming performances, recruiting band members, developing performance standards and maintaining the band’s assets. Augustana employees will conduct the band.
The Washington Pavilion will provide operational leadership. It will administer the band’s budget, book venues and conduct marketing and payroll. Band members will remain employees of Washington Pavilion Management Inc.
The Sioux Falls Municipal Band is one of the oldest community bands in the Midwest. It has performed since 1919.
Folliard says the municipal band creates a sense of community for its members and brings together people of all different backgrounds.
“If you go and meet the people in the municipal band, there are people there who have been playing there for over 60 years, some of them, and there’s people in high school right now that think this might be something that they want to do or continue to do for the rest of their lives,” Folliard said.
