Northern State University Music Department

10/16/2026

What a wonderful day of singing! A group of NSU voice majors hit the road today to share their talents with high school students. We love making music, connecting with future Wolves, and sharing a little of what makes Northern special! 🎶🐺💛♥️

Go Wolves!

Featured performers were sopranos Lexie Johnson & Ember Geist, tenor Gavin Wollman, and bass baritone Isaac Johnson. With Peggy Veith, piano, Michael Skyles & Darci Bultema, directors

Are you a music educator who would like an NSU music faculty member to work with your students or an NSU music ensemble to visit your school? Reach out! We'd love to meet your talented young musicians!

10/15/2026

✨ A little magic is coming to Northern! 👑🎃

Northern State University's School of Fine Arts and Aberdeen Community Theatre are bringing the beloved musical Rodgers and Hammerstein's “Cinderella” to the stage Oct. 21-25.

With enchanting music, a timeless love story and a little fairy godmother magic, it's a happily-ever-after you won't want to miss! 💙👠

More info: https://nrthn.com/I5wq1r

10/15/2026

Registration for the NSU Band Clinic is OPEN! Deadline: October 21, 2026.

The NSU Band Clinic, November 4, 2026, is the longest-running band festival in South Dakota, and takes place in the beautiful Johnson Fine Arts Center. The festival consists of two student bands that are equal in size and balance and an honor band!

The instrumentation of the bands is based on director nomination and EVERY student nominated will be chosen to participate. The nomination deadline will be announced. Late nominees may be accepted but are not guaranteed to be listed in the program.

New for 2026: The NSU Honor Band. This group will play more difficult repertoire.

* NSU Honor Band: Designed for the more advanced high school musicians, under the direction of Dr. Audrey Miller.
* Gold Band and Maroon Band: These two ensembles provide a fun musical experience for the growing musicians of varying backgrounds and abilities, directed by Dr. Chris Massa and Mr. Jerry Letcher.

The clinic runs from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., with check-in from 8-9 a.m. The final concert is at 3 p.m. in the Jewett Theater of the Johnson Fine Arts Center. Lunch is on your own, although students are welcome to eat on campus in the Wolves Den.

For more information contact: [email protected]

Register HERE

10/15/2026

NSU professor Dr. Grant Manhart, retired Watertown band director Jackie Stacy, and current Aberdeen Central band director John Patzlaff judging the Lake Area Marching Band Festival in Groton hosted by NSU grad Megan Doctor, the new band director at Groton High School!

10/05/2026

We are so proud of our President Alan LaFave

Alan LaFave recently reflected on being named Northern State University’s 19th president on September 25th, becoming the first alum to serve as the university’s president…

Read more about his ceremony here: https://aberdeeninsider.com/lafave-focused-on-northern-states-future-as-schools-19th-president/

10/04/2026

Terry Beckler, Grant Manhart, and John Kosch judging a 27 band parade on Friday morning in Chester, South Dakota!

10/04/2026

Read all about it!!

Aberdeen Community Theatre and Northern State University are teaming up for a production of "Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella." See link below ⬇️

📸 Aberdeen Community Theatre

10/04/2026

Our Prince & Cinderella from an event at the KO Lee Library! 🤴👸👑🐺🎶

Aberdeen families: happening now!!
Meet Cinderella and her Prince at the Aberdeen Public Library - learn some ballroom dance steps, enjoy a "tea party," and take photos with Cinderella!

10/04/2026

Congratulations to our Dean of the School of Fine Arts Dr. Kenneth Boulton! Thank you for your service!

After 11 years leading Northern State University’s School of Fine Arts, Dr. Kenneth Boulton will retire in June 2027.

During his tenure, Boulton helped expand arts programs, creative spaces, student opportunities and support for the fine arts at NSU. His final year as dean will coincide with Northern’s 125th anniversary.

Thank you, Dr. Boulton, for 11 years of leadership and dedication to the arts at Northern! ❤️💛

More info: https://nrthn.com/LTGFdv