Strings Students Play in Elite Orchestras

Krista Gingerich and Joseph and Traci Tschetter performed in the 2022 SDMEA Middle School All-State Orchestra at Rapid City Central High School on February 18-19. Krista is the daughter of A.J. and Susan Gingerich. Joseph and Traci Tschetter are the children of Ryan and Elaine Tschetter. The orchestra was made up of nearly 80 students from eight South Dakota cities. The musicians’ parents, instructor, and many family members attended. 

Rachel Schulte was selected to perform for the second time with the J. Laiten Weed Honors Orchestra in Rapid City. The orchestra is comprised of the top 22 string players in the state, based on high school all-state audition scores. The 2022 orchestra also included students from Rapid City, Aberdeen, Brookings, and Sioux Falls.

J. Laiten Weed was one of the first professional string teachers in the state and the director of the Yankton College Conservatory of Music. A large gift from his estate has provided funding for the promotion of strings in South Dakota, including sponsoring the honors orchestra. 

Rachel is the daughter of David and Elizabeth Schulte. Mrs. Schulte attended the concert and also participated in the 2022 Strings Symposium, a conference for strings teachers.

Photos: Top- Dr. Chad Hutchinson, conductor, Joseph Tschetter, Krista Gingerich and Traci Tschetter
Bottom-Rachel Schulte: left side end of second row; Dr. Luis Viquez, conductor in the center