Outstanding Service in Arts Education – Dr. Victor Weidensee

Dr. Victor Weidensee believes in the power of music to transform lives. His vision is to bring quality music to people of all ages, through every possible venue. His personal history shows his dedication to this vision, and his successes toward achieving it. Vic Weidensee has been sharing his love of music for 62 years through his teaching as a high school music teacher, college professor, guest conductor, adjudicator, and his writings. He is also being recognized this evening for his tireless efforts as an organizer, fund-raiser and performer in outreach projects, bringing music into the lives of thousands of South Dakotans.

In 1948, Vic Weidensee married Charlotte Gustavson, who has been his most active helpmate and supporter. He also began teaching that year, first as a high school teacher in Nebraska, and then in Oregon, where he also earned his doctorate from the University of Oregon in 1956. In 1957, he was selected Chairman of the Division of Fine Arts at Black Hills State College, now BHSU, returned to his home state, and served in that position until 1986. Vic was band director, taught four or five classes each term, and gave private lessons. He gave his students technical knowledge, but also excitement and joy, enriching their lives as well as their education. Former students often mention how his love of music became a part of them as well.

Dr. Weidensee took his role as an educator outside the Spearfish campus as a guest conductor of honor bands in Montana, North Dakota, Wyoming and South Dakota. He was active as an adjudicator throughout the region, continuing this work in his retirement. To provide students with a broader educational experience, he established and directed a student exchange program between Black Hills State and Weymouth College in England for ten years. His vision of bringing good music to people of all ages manifested itself in the many activities he promoted during his tenure at Black Hills State University, including: the Black Hills Music Camp in Spearfish, which provided summer music opportunities for young people; founding the Black Hills/Spearfish Community Concert Association; co-founding the annual Spearfish Festival in the Park; and together with friends, establishing the Black Hills Chamber Music Society.

In the 24 years since his retirement from BHSU, he has never flagged in his pursuit of his vision. When the Weidensees moved to Rapid City, they directed their considerable energies to the arts in their new community. Vic was music critic for the Rapid City Journal (1989-2004), served on the Chamber of Commerce Cultural Affairs Committee, and performed with the Rapid City Municipal Band. He became a board member of the Black Hills Chamber Music Society in 1986, and currently serves as its executive director. Today, at the age of 87, he is still principal fund raiser and mentor for some of the many projects he initiated through the Society: Elder Music; Chamber Music for Children; Clare and Josef Meier Young Vocal Artist Competition; Music Education Project for Ellsworth Air Force Base Vandenberg Elementary School; and the Black Hills Children’s Home Educational Outreach Project.