EDGEMONT – Landon Harrod, an eighth-grade student from Edgemont Middle School, has achieved a remarkable milestone for the second consecutive year by earning a spot in the prestigious Middle School All-State Orchestra (MSASO). This talented young musician will represent his school as the Second Chair Bass Player in the upcoming event.
Landon’s musical abilities have shone through once again, securing him a place among the top young musicians in the state. His dedication and hard work have paid off, and he will be showcasing his skills at the MSASO, scheduled to take place on Feb.26, at 3 p.m. in the grand auditorium of Central High School.
What makes Landon’s achievement even more impressive is the rigorous audition process he had to endure to secure his spot. The South Dakota Music Educators Association (SDMEA) organized the auditions for the MSASO, which involved multiple stringent criteria. These auditions were open to students in grades 6-8 who were currently enrolled in South Dakota public or private school orchestra programs. Audition recordings had to be submitted by the orchestra teacher, the student’s private lesson instructor, or the band teacher in cases where no orchestra teacher was available. Moreover, participants must be current South Dakota Music Education Association (SDMEA) members.
The judging criteria for the auditions included tone quality, instrumentation, technique, rhythm, and general musicianship. Students had to perform a scale and an etude, record the performance, and submit the video as their audition.
“The most difficult part of the audition is creating the videos for submission. Even though this is my second time doing it, there is a nervousness each time,” explained bass player Landon Harrod. Landon explained that the challenge with a video is that the auditioner can always find a flaw in their performance and may be inclined to rerecord their entry repeatedly. At some point, the musician must reach a stopping point and submit their work, regardless of flaws.
The Middle School All-State Orchestra is an annual event that brings together the most talented young musicians across South Dakota. It allows these young artists to showcase their skills and promotes musical excellence and camaraderie among peers.
The renowned musician and conductor Bruce Knowles will conduct the upcoming MSASO. He led the Central High School Orchestras to national acclaim from 1982 to 2023, achieving numerous awards. Knowles also served as Principal Double Bassist for the Black Hills Symphony and Chamber Orchestra and held significant conducting roles, including Music Director of the Black Hills Symphony, contributing significantly to the musical landscape of South Dakota through education and performance.
The MSASO event is free and open to the public, and attendees are encouraged to make goodwill donations to support the future of music education in South Dakota.