Black
Hills
Youth
Orchestra
Mentorship Through Music
The BHYO is always taking new members! Sign up here to join!
All rehearsals and lessons take place in the Minneluzahan Senior Center at 315 N 4th Street in Rapid City, SD.
The BHYO is currently on it's summer schedule (see below).
We will begin our fall schedule starting on September 1st (scroll further down for more details).
~ SUMMER SCHEDULE ~
3:30-4:30pm Lesson Hour
4:30-5:15pm Reading Orchestra
5:15-6:30pm Small Ensemble Rehearsals
Private Lesson/Academy Hour
Meeting time: Tuesdays, 3:30-4:30pm
In this block, students can receive free musical training from BHYO teaching staff in the form of individual or small group lessons. Students may also receive non-musical mentorship in the form of career planning advice, assistance with college/scholarship/job applications, and homework help and tutoring. The BHYO has established partnerships with numerous organizations throughout the community to assist with a variety of challenges our students may face (transportation, food security, counseling services, etc). All of this comes from from vetted, background-checked BHYO staff and volunteers or our partnering agencies.
Reading Orchestra
Meeting time: Tuesdays, 4:30-5:15pm
Musicians of all levels and ages are welcome in the reading orchestra. This group plays around 3 brand new pieces of music each week (usually one beginner, one intermediate, and one advanced). The goal is not to play perfectly, but to practice our ability to read brand new music at sight.
Small Ensemble Hour
Meeting time: Tuesdays, 5:15-6:30pm
In this class, musicians of all ages are placed in small ensembles of 3–6 players based on their age and playing experience. These groups provide a supportive setting where every participant can actively contribute and grow. With guidance from instructors and opportunities to rehearse independently, musicians gain confidence, improve their playing, and develop valuable life skills such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and leadership while experiencing the joy of making music together.
~ FALL SCHEDULE ~
3:30-4:20pm Beginner Classes/Lesson Hour
4:30-5:20pm Intermediate Orchestra
5:30-6:45pm Advanced Orchestra
Beginner Classes/Lesson Hour
Meeting time: Tuesdays, 3:30-4:20pm
Classes offered during this block:
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Beginning Violin/Viola
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Beginning Cello
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Beginning Bass
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Adult Beginners
Students can also receive musical training from BHYO teaching staff in the form of individual or small group lessons. Students may also receive non-musical mentorship in the form of career planning advice, assistance with college/scholarship/job applications, and homework help and tutoring. The BHYO has established partnerships with numerous organizations throughout the community to assist with a variety of challenges our students may face (transportation, food security, counseling services, etc.). All of this comes from from vetted, background-checked BHYO staff and volunteers or our partnering agencies.
Intermediate Orchestra
Meeting time: Tuesdays, 4:30-5:20pm
The Intermediate Orchestra is made up mostly of musicians who have been playing their instrument for 3-5 years. The Intermediate Orchestra also welcomes musicians who have played less than 3 years who are interested in experiencing playing with an ensemble. We are happy to make accommodations (like extra practice sessions or creating modified parts) so that beginners are able to feel successful in this ensemble, while still providing a worthwhile challenge to our older musicians as they continue to develop their orchestral techniques.
Advanced Orchestra
Meeting time: Tuesdays, 5:30-6:45pm
The Advanced Orchestra is a string orchestra that performs new works and works from the standard orchestral repertoire at a highly proficient level. Members are selected by audition and are generally musicians who have been playing their instrument for 5+ years.