Long time South Dakota Symphony Orchestra member to retire

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – The South Dakota Symphony Orchestra has been round for 100 years. Whereas that’s an enormous milestone, one member has reached one other main accomplishment.

The sound of the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra is music to anybody’s ears.

However earlier than that music will get to the musicians, it should undergo Pat Masek.

She’s the librarian.

“Being a librarian is to seek out out what the orchestra goes to play the next season, can we personal the music, do we now have to borrow it, do we now have to lease it, after which the search course of begins,” librarian, Pat Masek mentioned.

Masek began with the orchestra in 1962 on the age of 23. She performed the flute. About 5 years later she additionally took on the duty of the librarian.

“It’s only a very massive job, no person actually is aware of what goes on behind the scenes,” Masek mentioned.

She stopped taking part in in 2019, however continued on as a librarian.

“It’s at all times an exquisite factor to start cycles of rehearsals, live shows, with Pat since you are instantly conscious of all the work that she has finished to arrange the music so we as skilled musicians can are available in and play,” music director of South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, Delta David Gier mentioned.

Not solely does she ensure that every musician will get the right music, however she additionally catches any errors on the sheet music.

“I moderately get pleasure from fixing the errors, it’s a really nerdy factor to do,” Masek mentioned.

April thirtieth will probably be her final live performance. She’s retiring after 60 years.

“It’s onerous to think about this orchestra with out her,” Gier mentioned.

“It’s very blended, it feels bizarre proper now, figuring out I’ve been doing these items for the final time and it’s been so lengthy,” Masek mentioned. “This orchestra is my household actually, so I’ll nonetheless come to live shows.”

As soon as she retires Masek plans to journey, work on taking part in the piano once more, and spend time with household.