Midori performed the first movement of the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto with the Sioux Empire Youth Orchestra and Dakota Academy of Performing Arts Orchestra. (Photo courtesy of SDSO)
Past Residencies
Alaska / Duluth / Des Moines / Albuquerque / South Dakota / Vermont / Montana / Winston-Salem
Sioux Falls, SD: April 2008
At the end of April 2008, Midori made her first visit to the state of South Dakota for the second Orchestra Residency Program of the season. After a spring-like start to the week, a blizzard blew into Sioux Falls for the weekend, but the inclement weather did nothing to dampen the excitement of everyone involved.
In addition to concerts with the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, Midori's residency included the first collaborative performance by the two youth orchestras in town, the Sioux Empire Youth Orchestra (SEYO) and the Dakota Academy of Performing Arts (DAPA). The groups were able to get to know each other during rehearsals of the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto and joint masterclasses during the week. This cooperative endeavor inspired the South Dakota Symphonyfs decision in May 2008 to form its own Youth Orchestra with the aim of uniting the two groups.
In an effort to bridge the east and west sides of the Missouri River, which bisects the state, the Rapid City high school orchestra joined the Sioux Falls youth ensembles for an Orchestra Exchange of performances and a night of bowling. Even more South Dakota music students had the chance to work with Midori during Super String Day, in which youth orchestra members from all over the state converged in Sioux Falls and performed for each other at Lincoln High School on Saturday April 26. Midori shared tips with and took questions from the students before joining the violin section of each group for the final performance of the session.
Midori greets Super String Day participants after their performance. (Photo courtesy of South Dakota Symphony)
Other activities during the week included a chamber music workshop with the SDSO's two string quartets, luncheon/discussions with Symphony staff and South Dakota string teachers, appearances at fundraising events, and a brunch reception with SDSO members before the last concert of the week.
South Dakota Public Broadcasting recorded all of the residency events for a program about Midori's visit to Sioux Falls, with the express purpose of sharing this special musical experience with the entire state. The documentary can be viewed online here:
http://sdpb.org/SpecialProjects/Midori/index.asp