The Dakota Ragtime Trio Plays De Smet Sunday Concert on Sept. 10

Made up of three University professors, the very popular Dakota Ragtime Trio will be jazzing up the Midstate Theatre at the De Smet Event Center on Sunday, September 10th at 3 PM. This 5th concert in the De Smet Concert Series brings you a fun group of guys who always surprise the audience with the variety and uniqueness of the different instruments they play.

The Dakota Ragtime Trio is a group dedicated to performing the ragtime classics of famed virtuosic xylophonist, George Hamilton Green. Born in 1893, Green was featured on hundreds of recordings and performed all over the world. The Dakota Ragtime Trio is comprised of xylophonist Dr. Darin Wadley, clarinetist Karl Kolbeck, and tubist Josh Calkin.  

“We are privileged to be playing a Deagan Artist Special xylophone built in the 1930s; the same model that Green used in his performances,” states Dr. Wadley. “We hope that you enjoy our fun, lively show.”

Dr. Darin Wadley is the Director of Percussion Studies and Associate Professor of Music at The University of South Dakota. An active performer, Wadley is the principal timpanist with the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra and performs regularly with other regional orchestras as both timpanist and percussionist. He has also held professional engagements with the Tony® Award winning Utah Shakespearean Festival, Tucson Symphony Orchestra, Arizona Opera, and the Nevada Symphony Orchestra. He is a very active jazz and rock musician playing in many regional bands and has many additional awards and degrees in his resume.

Dr. Josh Calkin is Director of Bands at Wayne State College directing the Wildcat Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Brass Ensemble, and Mariachi Oro y Negro. He maintains an active performing schedule, both as a recitalist and in area ensembles. He is a featured soloist with many renowned musical groups and the tubist with several Nebraska bands and orchestras.

Dr. Karl Kolbeck serves as professor of woodwinds at Wayne State College in Nebraska. Performing with various ensembles throughout Nebraska, Iowa, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, and Arizona, he currently performs with the Sioux City Municipal Band and Crazy 8 Brass Band and makes appearances with the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra. Kolbeck is an advocate for new music and has been involved in several commissions and premieres.

Reserve your individual concert tickets at a cost of $20 by calling 605-854-3502 or the Event Center, 605-854-6060. De Smet Concert Series ticket holders do not need to call to reserve tickets.