Brian Schmidt awarded 2015 conducting fellowship to Sweden

I am thrilled to share the news release below from the South Dakota Chorale in regard to their fine conductor Brian Schmidt. Bravo, Brian, and I hope you have a most rewarding time in Sweden! In addition to the Chorale, Brian is also the director of the Duke Vespers Choir at Duke University in Durham, NC. 

SDC ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AWARDED INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP

 

Dr. Brian Schmidt, Artistic Director of the South Dakota Chorale, has been awarded a fellowship with the 2015 International Conductors Exchange Program to Sweden. Selected by the American Choral Directors Association, Dr. Schmidt will be among 14 U.S. conductors to travel to Stockholm, Sweden, in October, for the Scandinavian Choral Convention. As part of this fellowship, Dr. Schmidt will also serve as a host to a delegation of Swedish choral conductors that will attend the 2015 ACDA National Conference next February in Salt Lake City. The South Dakota Chorale is one of the choirs that has been selected to perform at the conference.“I am thrilled to learn more about the incredible Swedish choral tradition and establish lifelong connections with Swedish conductors. This experience will certainly be one that will influence my day to day work and I am eager to share all that I learn with students and singers in the future” says Schmidt.

Dr. Brian A. Schmidt, the founding director of The South Dakota Chorale, is a native of New Ulm Minnesota. He completed his undergraduate studies at South Dakota State University. Graduate study was at The University of North Texas where he earned masters and doctoral degrees under the direction of Dr. Richard Sparks and Dr. Jerry McCoy. Dr. Schmidt is currently the Assistant Conductor and Administrative Coordinator of Chapel Music at Duke University Chapel. Under his leadership, the Duke Vespers Ensemble and The South Dakota Chorale have explored the breadth of the choral repertoire, producing performances and recordings that include Buxtehude’s Membri Jesu Nostri, the Duruflé Requiem, and Sven-David Sandström’s Four Songs of Love. He has been a particular proponent of the contemporary Scandinavian and Eastern European choral traditions.

More information on Brian Schmidt can be found atwww.brianschmidtmusic.com and www.southdakotachorale.com. 
Dr. Brian A. Schmidt, the founding director of The South Dakota Chorale, is a native of New Ulm Minnesota. He completed his undergraduate studies at South Dakota State University. Graduate study was at The University of North Texas where he earned masters and doctoral degrees under the direction of Dr. Richard Sparks and Dr. Jerry McCoy. Dr. Schmidt is currently the Assistant Conductor and Administrative Coordinator of Chapel Music at Duke University Chapel. Under his leadership, the Duke Vespers Ensemble and The South Dakota Chorale have explored the breadth of the choral repertoire, producing performances and recordings that include Buxtehude’s Membri Jesu Nostri, the Duruflé Requiem, and Sven-David Sandström’s Four Songs of Love. He has been a particular proponent of the contemporary Scandinavian and Eastern European choral traditions. 
More information on Brian Schmidt can be found atwww.brianschmidtmusic.com and www.southdakotachorale.com.