Over 1,000 of South Dakota's best high school vocal and instrumental musicians will gather in Rapid City for the 66th Annual South Dakota All-State Chorus and Orchestra on Friday and Saturday, October 26 and 27.

Ipswich students who have been preparing for the chorus are Kari Kanable, Jayna Sanborn, Nathan Kamps, Gavin Wollman and alternate Jacob Bakken.

The 2018 All-State Chorus includes 928 singers representing 145 South Dakota high schools. The All-State Orchestra is comprised of 156 musicians from 22 schools.

The All-State activities will culminate with a Grand Concert at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center beginning at 7 p.m. (MT) on Saturday evening, October 27.

The concert can also be watched on South Dakota Public Broadcasting at 8 p.m. on Saturday night.

The annual All-State Chorus and Orchestra, sponsored by South Dakota High School Activities Association, is the largest interscholastic high school music activity held in South Dakota.

The guest conductors for the 2018 All-State Chorus & Orchestra Concert are Dr. Phillip Swan from Wisconsin, and Dr. Anthony Elliott from Michigan. Dr. Swan will conduct the All-State Chorus while Dr. Elliott will lead the 2018 All-State Orchestra.

During the All-State Grand Concert, the South Dakota Music Educators Association will recognize several high schools and individuals for their contributions to music in South Dakota. The SDHSAA will also recognize one of its 2018-19 Distinguished Service Award winners.