Tour Information Audio Tours Educational Tours Educational Thematic Tour Options South Dakota Educational Content Standards for Kindergarten through Twelfth Grade Group Visits Scheduling Tours Summer Discovery Series Summer Explorer Series Take the Museum's Virtual Tours Questions? Audio Tours Highly recommended, complimentary self-guided audio tour with 50 stops (portable CD player).   Available at front desk. Educational Thematic Tour Options While the Museum's main emphasis is music, multidisciplinary opportunities are also offered.   Listed below are several thematic tours regularly offered.  Other specific curriculum needs can also be accommodated with a minimum of a one-month advance reservation. Note: Thematic tours are available only to groups of 30 or less. A First Look-- An introduction to music and the Museum's collections.   20-30 minutes.   Grades K-3. Our First Nations-- See the collection of Native American instruments and learn about Native American music and culture.   Grades 2-5.   (Reminder:   October is Native American month.) A Musical Tour Around the World-- Look at and listen to recorded music of instruments from around the world.   Grades 4-8. Instruments and Music of Africa-- See the collection of instruments from various parts of Africa. Recorded music will be heard as well as an opportunity for hands-on experience.   Grades 2-5. Sound and Vibration-- Learn how sound is produced on various instruments.   An opportunity for hands-on experience.  Grades 3-6. Magical Mystery Tour--   Featuring recorded music of the Beatles, examine some of the instruments used in pop and rock music.  Grades 6-12. February Specials--   1. Instrumental Valentine: Examine some of the musical instruments most associated with love. Instruments will include the guitar, harp, lira da braccio, and the Native American courting flute.  Grades 2-12. 2. Presidential Music: Instruments from the time of Washington and Lincoln will be examined. Grades 2-12. South Dakota History-- See instruments made and used by South Dakota pioneers.   See what life might have been like in the early days.   Grades 6-12. General Tour-- Our most often requested offering.   Students visit 4 to 6 of the galleries.   Grades 2-12.  This is the only type of tour available to groups of more than 30. Virtual Gallery Tour. Educational Tours Guided tours of the Museum's collections are provided by trained educators and assistants and are based on educational themes and objectives.   Tours can be tailored to meet the educational goals and interests of individual classes and groups. Group Visits Advance reservations must be made for all group visits.   Groups of ten or more will not be admitted without a confirmed reservation.   Tour guides will be provided. Scheduling Tours Because there is such a high demand for visits during the months of April and May, please call early to make your reservation. Tours should be scheduled at least two weeks in advance of the desired date. General tours usually last from 60-90 minutes, although the length can be adjusted to fit your schedule.   Shorter tours are conducted for very young groups. For a quality experience, we recommend tour groups of no more than 25-30 individuals.   The Museum can accommodate no more than 48 people at one time.   If your group is larger than this, please plan to split the group in half and make alternate arrangements (call the Museum for ideas).   Groups of more than 48 will not be admitted to the Museum. Call to schedule your tour:     (605) 677-5306.   Please be prepared to answer the following questions when you call: Requested visit date. Requested visit time. Approximate length of visit. Group leader's name. Name of group or school. Mailing address. Phone and best time to reach you at this number. Number of people. Age or grade level. Number of chaperones (1 adult required for every 10-12 students). What kind of group (history class, band, general music, first grade, etc.). What are your objectives for this visit? Describe any kind of advance preparation for this visit (recent study units, reading assignments, in-class presentations, etc.). In which tour option are you interested?   Note: Special thematic tour requests require a minimum of one-month advance notice. Questions? Contact Dr. Deborah Check Reeves, Curator of Education, at 605-677-5306 or E-mail her at dreeves@usd.edu. National Music Museum The University of South Dakota 414 East Clark Street Vermillion, SD   57069 ©National Music Museum, 1996-2005. Most recent update:   December 2, 2005 You are the 1,155th visitor to this page. College of Fine Arts The University of South Dakota Return to Top of Page