When clarinet player Sharon Lehmann attended the Door County Music Camp, she most enjoyed the small ensemble rehearsals. Challenging music, the opportunity to play a variety of parts, and experiencing beautiful blends and sounds in a smaller ensemble setting were exciting. Sharon brought this seed to germination by visiting with other local musicians, and the concept of an area adult woodwind group started to grow.

Bob Goheen, recently retired from a life-long career of music education and band directing, agreed to be the “farmer,” and was named the first director of this new seedling ensemble. A letter of interest to area musicians garnered response from several players, all looking to continue making music as they once had man years before. The inaugural rehearsal of High Plains Woodwinds was held on September 10, 2012.

Over a decade later, the High Plains Woodwinds seedling has now grown into beautiful wheat grass stems, similar to those in our logo, and we look forward to tending and bringing this seedling to enhanced fruition for years to come.

Consisting of flutes, oboes, clarinets, saxophones, and an occasional percussionist or two, The High Plains Woodwinds provides musical entertainment to audiences in the Sioux Falls area with two formal concert performances each year: the first Sunday of May and the second Sunday of November. Additional outreach performances are often scheduled at local assisted living facilities, alongside other musical groups, and in conjunction with area student musicians. In 2023, High Plains Woodwinds completed their first international tour of Spain; our next tour will take us to Croatia and Italy in the summer of 2025. High Plains Woodwinds is currently under the direction of Dr. Paul Schilf.

Please contact us via email for additional information regarding audition requirements, upcoming concerts, and donation opportunities.