BROOKINGS, S.D. (9-4-26) — David Reynolds, director of South Dakota State University’s School of Performing Arts, will present “Brass in America,” a free public recital at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13. The concert will take place in Founders Recital Hall at the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center.
Reynolds, who holds advanced degrees in trumpet performance, will be joined by an ensemble of SDSU faculty and other artisans of the brass instrument family: Mark Nelson, trumpet; Sam Gowen, horn; Scott Shelsta, trombone; and Bradley Snyder, bass trombone.
The program explores the extraordinary breadth of American musical identity as the nation commemorates its 250th anniversary. Audiences will hear music spanning nearly three centuries, including patriotic tunes of the American Revolution, Civil War‑era brass band repertoire, selections from George Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess” and the unmistakable humor and energy of classic American animation.
A highlight of the recital will be the world premiere of “Purpose,” an original work composed by Reynolds for brass quintet and mezzo-soprano. The piece is a setting of a poem by the same name and composed by SDSU Vice President for Research and Economic Development Daniel Scholl. The brass quintet will be joined by SDSU faculty member and acclaimed mezzo-soprano Emily Toronto.
The recital is free, and the public is invited to attend.
For more information, contact the SDSU School of Performing Arts at 605-688-5187.
About South Dakota State University
Founded in 1881, South Dakota State University is the state’s Morrill Act land-grant institution as well as its largest, most comprehensive school of higher education. SDSU confers degrees from seven different colleges representing more than 230 majors, minors and specializations. The institution also offers 39 master’s degree programs, 17 Ph.D. and two professional programs.
The work of the university is carried out on a residential campus in Brookings, at sites in Sioux Falls, Pierre and Rapid City, and through Extension offices and Agricultural Experiment Station research sites across the state. SDSU’s research expenditures for the 2025 fiscal year were more than $94 million. SDSU has a Doctoral University: High Research Activity designation on The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
For more information:SDSU News • www.sdstate.edu
— From SDSU University Marketing and Communications
