07/02/12 jgm

HAYS, Kan. -- Six free concerts will punctuate the High Plains Music Camp, formerly the High Plains Band and Orchestra Camp, on the Fort Hays State University campus from July 15 through July 21.

Founded in 1947 by Harold G. Palmer, the camp continues to offer the experience of studying music with outstanding musicians from around the country, for band, string and now voice students.

Students experience a week of stimulating and concentrated study in the art of music under the guidance of nationally recognized musicians, teachers and conductors. Performances, concerts and additional opportunities in recreation and camp social life make the week an experience worth repeating year after year.

Each evening features a concert by guest artists, faculty and campers in the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center in Sheridan Hall.

Allen and Laura Vizzutti, world-renowned classical and jazz musicians, will open up the concert series at 7 p.m. on Monday, July 16.

Equally at home in a multitude of musical idioms, Allen Vizzutti has visited 60 countries and every state in the union to perform with a multitude of artists and ensembles.

While living in Los Angeles during the '80s, he performed on more than a hundred motion picture sound tracks, such as "Back To The Future" and "Star Trek" as well as countless TV shows, commercials and recordings.

From his home in Seattle, Wash., his current career is an impressive schedule of recitals, concerts, recording and composing. His continued commitment to music education and the value of music in everyday life.

Laura Vizzutti has performed and presented workshops in Japan, New Zealand, Canada, Europe and throughout the United States. She began studying piano at the age of 4 and was a young artists competition winner at the age of 14.

Her recent activities include solo and ensemble concerts throughout the United States and in Japan, Australia, Austria, Croatia, Finland and Germany. She has been invited several times to participate in arts cruises aboard the luxury cruise vessel MS Europa on extended tours of the South Pacific, North Atlantic and Caribbean.

She can be heard performing on television and movie soundtracks such as "Hallmark Hall of Fame" and "Zeus and Roxanne." As a strong proponent of music education, Vizzutti has taught at the college level and maintains a small private teaching studio.

The High Plains Music Camp Faculty-Staff Recital, the second concert on the schedule, will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 17. The recital will include performances by Dr. Terry Crull, assistant professor of music and theatre; Brad Dawson; assistant professor; Dr. Jeff Jordan, associate professor; Dean Kranzler, instructor; Matt Means, assistant professor; Ben Cline, chair of the Department of Music and Theatre; Dr. Kristin Pisano, associate professor; Dr. Joe Perniciaro, assistant professor; Dr. Timothy Rolls, assistant professor; Hilary Shepard, instructor; Lane Weaver, instructor; and Kay Werth, instructor.

Remaining Concerts on the schedule:

High Plains Music Camp Camper Honor Recital will be at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 18, in Beach/Schmidt.

High Plains Music Camp Faculty Wind Ensemble Concert will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 19.

The Music Theatre/Opera Performance, Classical String Ensembles, Alternate Strings Concert, Student Jazz Concert, and Faculty Jazz Concert performances will start at 6 p.m. Friday, July 20.

Final Large and Small Ensembles Concerts will start at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 21.

For more information, contact Dr. Ivalah Allen, Camp Director, at 785-628-4226 or ijallen@fhsu.edu, or Michelle Postier, Assistant to the Director, at mmpostier@fhsu.edu.

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