Schulte Twins Named Top Violinists in the State

Violinists Joseph and Rachel Schulte and Nicholas and Veronica Fonder were selected by audition for the Fourth Annual South Dakota Middle School All-State Orchestra. Joseph received the highest score of any violinist in the state and will be the concertmaster of the orchestra. Rachel received the second highest score and will be assistant concertmaster. Nicholas was awarded fourth chair, second violin, and Veronica’s score placed her at eighth chair, second violin. The Schulte twins and Nicholas are eighth graders and Veronica is a seventh grader at Milbank Middle School.

Their violin teacher, Elizabeth Schulte says, “This is a huge honor for Milbank, a school district without a string program, to be represented by four students in the orchestra. Even schools with string programs sometimes have no representation.” Schulte is the director of Whetstone Valley Strings, a private studio of 15 violin and cello students in Milbank.

The orchestra will rehearse and perform February 21-22 at Rapid City Central High School under the direction of Dr. Christopher Stanichar, professor at Northern State University and director of the Aberdeen University-Civic Symphony.

Submitted Photo: top: Joseph, Rachel Schulte; bottom: Veronica, Nicholas Fonder