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The South Dakota Chorale is a classical music ensemble based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The group was founded in 2009 by Brian Schmidt, a conductor and composer who serves as the group's artistic director. Since its inception, the South Dakota Chorale has become one of the most respected choral ensembles in the United States, known for its innovative programming and exceptional musicianship. The South Dakota Chorale was born out of a desire to create a world-class choral ensemble in the heart of the Midwest. Schmidt, who had previously served as the director of choral activities at South Dakota State University, saw an opportunity to bring together some of the best singers from across the region to form a new ensemble. He began by auditioning singers from South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa, and soon assembled a group of 24 singers who shared his vision for excellence. From the beginning, the South Dakota Chorale set out to challenge the traditional boundaries of choral music. Schmidt's programming was eclectic and adventurous, featuring works by contemporary composers alongside classics of the choral repertoire. The group's first concert, in 2010, included works by Arvo Pärt, Eric Whitacre, and Morten Lauridsen, as well as a world premiere by Schmidt himself. The South Dakota Chorale quickly gained a reputation for its exceptional musicianship and innovative programming. In 2011, the group was invited to perform at the American Choral Directors Association's North Central Division Conference, one of the most prestigious choral events in the country. The South Dakota Chorale's performance was hailed as a highlight of the conference, and the group began to receive invitations to perform at other major choral events across the country. Over the years, the South Dakota Chorale has continued to push the boundaries of choral music, commissioning new works and collaborating with composers and performers from around the world. In 2015, the group released its first album, "Tyberg: Masses," which featured the world premiere recordings of two masses by Marcel Tyberg, a little-known composer who perished in the Holocaust. The album received widespread critical acclaim, and was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Choral Performance category. Since then, the South Dakota Chorale has released several more albums, including "Pärt: The Deer's Cry" (2016), which featured works by the Estonian composer Arvo Pärt, and "Rachmaninoff: All-Night Vigil" (2019), which featured the Russian composer's masterpiece of sacred choral music. The group's recordings have been praised for their clarity, precision, and emotional depth, and have earned the South Dakota Chorale a devoted following among classical music fans. In addition to its recordings, the South Dakota Chorale has continued to perform at major choral events around the country. In 2017, the group was invited to perform at the National Collegiate Choral Organization's National Conference, where it premiered a new work by composer Jake Runestad. The following year, the South Dakota Chorale was invited to perform at the American Choral Directors Association's National Conference, one of the highest honors in the choral world. Throughout its history, the South Dakota Chorale has been recognized for its exceptional musicianship and innovative programming.

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