South Dakota Symphony Launches 'Bridging Cultures' Program In February

The South Dakota Symphony Orchestra will launch a new initiative for building an inclusive community in Sioux Falls when it performs music of five living composers from as many different cultures on Friday, February 1 at 7:30 PM in Hamre Recital Hall at Augustana University.

The Bridging Cultures program will feature a chamber orchestra and smaller ensembles performing compositions by Dieter Lehnhoff (Guatemala), German Caceres (El Salvador), Akmal Parwez (Pakistan), Reena Esmail (India), and Nilo Alcala (Philippines). These countries are among those represented by communities in Sioux Falls. Alcala and Esmail will both be in attendance to discuss their music and to interact with the community earlier in the week. Also in attendance will be Music Alive Composer-in-Residence Theodore Wiprud, who has curated this inaugural Bridging Cultures concert.

Theodore Wiprud said, "In my year as Composer-in-Residence with the South Dakota Symphony, I've been struck by the orchestra's embrace of the cultures present in South Dakota. It's been an adventure programming a concert of today's composers channeling what's distinctive about each of these countries."

The Bridging Cultures program builds off of the South Dakota Symphony's highly-celebrated Lakota Music Project, which is in its eleventh year. These bridge projects, both past and future, create a collaborative environment by using music as a vehicle for unity, peace, and understanding.

"The SDSO is very proud to introduce this new program alongside its already broad offerings," said South Dakota Symphony Orchestra Music Director Delta David Gier. "Stemming from the orchestra's mission of service, this program unites existing relationships across our city, state, and region, such as the Lakota Music Project as well as ongoing engagements with the Hispanic, Arab, and Chinese communities. During this inaugural concert we are excited to celebrate the cultures of South Asia, the Philippines, and Central America. Our goal is to engender appreciation and understanding across the different cultures represented in our community through the sharing of something we all love: music!"

The Bridging Cultures performance is Friday, February 1 at 7:30 PM in Hamre Recital Hall at Augustana University with heavy hors d'oeuvres and discussion with the artists to follow. In lieu of admission fees, there will be a free will donation box to support South Dakota Voices for Peace who has partnered with us for this incredible program.

For more information, visit www.sdsymphony.org.