Celebration of Strings is a great opportunity for area string students of all ages and levels to rehearse and perform with highly accomplished string musicians who graduated from the Rapid City School System.
The Rapid City born musicians leading the rehearsals, workshops and concert are: Bill Rounds (Boston Symphony and Pops), Julie Edwards (Utah Symphony), Michael Hill (Chamber Music Festival of the Black Hills) with guest musician Dawn Marie Edwards (Chamber Music Festival of the Black Hills). Joining the group this year, is violinist, Eunice Kim (St. Paul Chamber Orchestra).
Rehearsals: June 23, 2018
Performance: June 24, 2018
Bill Rounds graduated from Stevens High School in 1979.He then attended Boston University where he received both his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees. Bill is currently a member of the Boston Pops Esplanada Orchestra and the Portland Symphony. For more information on Bill Rounds Click Here!
Julie Edwards graduated from Stevens High School in 1989 and went on to receive Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in viola performance from Indiana University. Julie is currently a violist in the Utah Symphony. For more information on Julie Edwards. For more information on Julie Edwards Click Here!
Michael Hill graduated from Stevens High School in 1986 and went on to further his education at the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music. Currently, he is the Principal Bass of the Orlando Philharmonic, Principal Bass of Orlando Chamber Soloists, and adjunct professor at Rollins College, University of Central Florida and Stetson University. For more information on Michael Hill Click Here!
Dawn Marie Edwards is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music. She was the winner of the international auditions in Orchuesta Sinfonica de Castilla y Leon, Spain. She also won auditions for the Florida Orchestra and the Sarasota Orchestra. Dawn Marie was instrumental in founding the Orlando Chamber Soloists, a group which performs some of the greatest chamber music ever composed. For more information on Dawn Marie Edwards Click Here!
Eunice Kim, violinist with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, is a native of the San Francisco Bay Area. At the age of seven, she made her solo debut with the Korean Broadcasting Symphony Orchestra. She has been called, “just superb” by the New York Times, and a “born performer” by the Epoch Times. Eunice recently made her solo debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Louisville Symphony. For more information on Eunice Kim Click Here!
The Celebration of Strings is a Collaborative Event between the Black Hills Chamber Music Society and the Chamber Music Festival of the Black Hills. It's purpose is to inspire, educate and delight string students of all ages and levels who live in Rapid City and the surrounding area.
This unique event is a two day celebration of string music, those who compose it and those who play it. The Instructors are professional musicians from Rapid City who currently perform with highly acclaimed Orchestras. They are: Bill Rounds, Cello with Boston Pops and Symphony, Julie Edwards, Viola with the Utah Symphony, Michael Hill, Bass, with the Orlando Philharmonic and the Chamber Music Festival of the Black Hills, Dawn Marie Edwards, Harp, Chamber Music Festival of the Black Hills and introducing our new Violinist, Ms. Eunice Kim, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra.
On Day One, these musicians will be leading the rehearsals and workshops. Day Two includes a Public Concert, performed by the students and the above musicians. Through this rehearsal and performance process, the students receive a complete music experience.