Diddle, SDSU alums recognized by South Dakota American Choral Directors Association

Laura Diddle, the Paul E. and Doris J. Moriarty Endowed Professor of Choral Activities in the South Dakota State University School of Performing Arts, has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the South Dakota American Choral Directors Association. 

“I am absolutely thrilled to be recognized for my years of service to my profession,” Diddle said. “I am grateful to my family, colleagues and students for providing support and encouragement these past 20 years here in South Dakota. I could never have achieved this prestigious award without their trust in my abilities.” 

The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to a choral director in the state who excels in the field of choral music as an artist, educator and advocate. To be considered, one must be a conductor whose career achievements on stage and in the region represent the excellence of choral music in South Dakota. 

“I frequently tell my students here at SDSU that we stand on the shoulders of giants who came before us, and it’s our responsibility to continue to achieve excellence in their name and to use our gifts and talents to the best of our ability,” Diddle explained. “That has been my goal, and receiving this award helps me believe that I’m on the right path.” 

Diddle previously served as the president of the South Dakota American Choral Directors Association from 2005 to 2008. 

Diddle isn’t the only one from SDSU to have received recognition from the South Dakota American Choral Directors Association this year. Shawn Stemsrud, a Milbank native and 2022 SDSU graduate, received the Encore Award. This award is given to a choral professional in the first five years of their career who is making an impact on the choral music industry. 

Stemsrud, now a choral director at Brookings High School, received the Undergraduate National American Choral Directors Association Choral Conducting Award while a student at SDSU. 

“We are all so excited to watch him as his career progresses,” Diddle said. “There is no doubt in any of our minds that he will one day be recognized as one of the finest choral conductors on the national and international stage. The sky is the limit for Shawn.” 

Another Encore Award recipient this year was 2002 SDSU alum Janice Gilbert. The Tea Area High School choir director received the award in recognition of excellence and achievement in the field of choral music.

As a recipient of the Encore Award herself, Diddle said that though she has been recognized for her contributions to the choral community, her greatest award was receiving the Paul and Doris Moriarty endowment in 2022, the first endowed position in the School of Performing Arts. 

“I am filled with gratitude to receive recognition for my over 35 years of service. My career began in Indiana, from there I was fortunate to live and work in Tennessee and South Carolina before settling here in South Dakota. The way that I have been welcomed, accepted and honored is truly an incredible gift for which I am truly grateful.”