8/7/23

By University Communications

HAYS, Kan. - Middle and high school students rushing from building to building with musical instruments in tow have long been a part of the summer landscape at FHSU, but the summer of 2023 was exceptionally lively, with more than 500 students filling the campus with music.

Camps kicked off in early June, with 182 students from 73 schools attending the Kansas Lions Band Camp. In July, FHSU hosted the Shrine Bowl with 171 band members. Then during the third week of July, 154 middle school and high school students attended High Plains Music Camp.

A wide variety of musical experiences were available to students, from small ensembles to marching bands. Students attending the Kansas Lions Band Camp and Shrine Bowl had the additional benefit of learning more about the community impact of the Lions Club and Shriners’ philanthropic missions.

One challenge staff met during the Lions Band Camp was accommodating a larger band than had ever taken the stage at the Beach Schmidt Performing Arts Center. Typically, the stage holds between 80-100 performers, but it had to be adapted to allow up to 180 performers. The Beach Schmidt staff met that challenge by removing the sides of the stage’s shell.

Lillpopp said he was grateful for the help of the Beach Schmidt staff, who worked to make the performances as seamless as possible. He pointed out that  Beach Schmidt Performing Arts Center and Hal Palmer Recital Hall in Malloy Hall are now equipped for live streaming. In addition, multiple camera angles enable the staff to zoom in on featured ensemble sections.

“The sound quality is great,” said Dr. Peter Lillpopp, FHSU director of bands. “They have several microphones in addition to the stage mic, and we have found this is very good quality.”

For the Shrine Bowl band, rehearsals were held outdoors. Lillpopp said the Shrine organization proactively ensured students stayed hydrated so the FHSU staff could focus on the music. As the week ended, students could be seen hugging, crying, and signing each other’s T-shirts. Lillpopp said it was apparent that deep social connections were fostered during the camp.

The week following the Shrine Bowl found students heading to FHSU for the annual High Plains Music Camp.

“The High Plains Music Camp is a whole army of faculty that we hire every year,” Lillpopp said. “It’s also a great experience for our music education majors who serve as helpers. They grow as educators themselves. They make that transformation from student to teacher. That’s an important experience for college students.”

For Adam Ward, a junior from Ellsworth, who worked as an intern at all the 2023 summer camps, the opportunity to make that transition will significantly benefit his future role as a music educator.

“It was really nice for me to serve as an intern because I plan to go to grad school, and I’ll be teaching some high school and college music,” Ward said. “During the camps, I got to work hand-in-hand with many people who really knew what they were doing.”

James Budge, Haven, who graduated in May from FHSU with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and a minor in music, also served as an intern for the summer camps. He pointed out that camp attendees learn a great deal from the variety of musical offerings during the camps. In smaller ensembles, students can work for balance, blend, and timing, devoting themselves to listening to each other.

“And then they play in a large ensemble, and they will probably be playing the music of different composers or different styles that they haven’t played in high school band,” he said. “They get that exposure to different perspectives, different music. Plus, a week of living on a college campus gives them some experience to find out what it’s like to be at a university, working with college professors.”

Alumni who return to assist in the High Plains Music Camp and attend concerts also play an essential role. Lillpopp said the camp is a tradition for many attendees, some of whom have parents, perhaps even grandparents, who once attended the camp.

“It’s not just a summer camp for students, it’s our major recruiter for Music and Theatre Programs, and it’s really an alumni reception. It’s a great way to stay in contact,” Lillpopp said.

Scholarships for the camp participants are provided through the Kansas Educational Enrichment program, Band of Angels, FHSU, a Giving Day fundraiser, and the gifts of many longtime donors.

The High Plains Music Camp is a recruiting tool for FHSU, allowing students to perform in unique ensembles and connect with musicians socially and in a performance setting.

“Even if they don’t come here for college, they have a positive experience with Fort Hays, and that’s really important,” Lillpopp said. “The High Plains Music Camp is a big focal point. I found that the students that have attended the camp for many years become some of our best FHSU students.”

Recitals serve as a highlight during High Plains Band Camp week. Those recitals, free to the public, include visiting artists, faculty, students, faculty band, faculty jazz, and a culminating concert.

“The arts are alive and well in Hays,” Lillpopp said.

The High Plains Band Camp final concert can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZ-DD9gsOHY

More information is available on the FHSU Band Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FHSUTigerMarchingBand

High Plains Music Camp Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/HighPlainsMusicCamp/