Chamber Music Festival Of The Black Hills

The Chamber Music Festival of the Black Hills is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of classical music and music education within the Black Hills and Pine Ridge area of South Dakota. Founded in 2004, the festival has quickly become a notable cultural event, entering only its 15th season and having already garnered support from prestigious entities such as the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the South Dakota Community Foundation. Under the leadership of Executive Director Michael Hill and Artistic Director Dawn Marie Edwards, the Chamber Music Festival of the Black Hills has a mission to foster the appreciation of classical music in the region. It aims to achieve this by presenting chamber music concerts featuring world-class musicians in exciting and innovative formats. The festival places a strong emphasis on developing a broad-based, sustainable audience through education and community involvement. The Orlando Chamber Soloists, a professional chamber ensemble of world-class musicians, are in residence at the festival. They are dedicated to delivering exhilarating classical concerts and unparalleled educational programs that engage people of all ages. The ensemble's educational outreach includes programs such as Musical Story Time, Teddy Bear Series, Discovery of Strings and Harp, Children's Family Concert, and Mindful Musical Moments. The festival also undertakes various projects that resonate with the community, such as "Dignity: The Power of the Female Spirit," "Riders on the Storm," "We Are One-Mitakuye Oyasin," and "We Are South Dakota," which reflect a commitment to cultural inclusivity and social themes. The Chamber Music Festival of the Black Hills has been recognized for its contributions to the arts, as evidenced by the NEA Artworks Grant awarded in 2018 and media coverage in outlets such as the Black Hills Pioneer Press and the Orlando Sentinel. These accolades highlight the festival's influence and its role in enriching the cultural landscape of South Dakota. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors and includes a Lakota Advisor, signifying its respect for and inclusion of the local indigenous culture. The festival's success and growth are also a result of the support it receives from donors and patrons who share its vision for the arts in the Black Hills. The Chamber Music Festival of the Black Hills continues to share its programs and upcoming events with the community, inviting all to partake in the transformative experience of chamber music.