6/18/24

By University Communications

HAYS, Kan. - A 77-year summer tradition at Fort Hays State will be underway with High Plains Music Camp, slated to begin the last week of June. For the last 20 years, the camp has been held in July. However, the dates have been moved forward for 2024.

“I think changing the date will be a better move,” said Dr.  Peter Lillpopp, FHSU director of bands. “It benefits our faculty to have the whole month of July off since the FHSU marching band starts in July. Moving the camp will also benefit students whose families go on vacation in July.”

Lillpopp will serve as camp director for the second year, and Hilary Shepard, FHSU flute professor, will serve as assistant director. This summer, the High Plains Music Camp will welcome FHSU’s new percussion professor, Luke Helker.

The influence of High Plains Music Camp extends beyond the camp experience, connecting alumni and serving as an intensive student recruitment tool.

“It’s a good way to meet people,” Lillpopp said. “Prospective students get to meet the FHSU faculty, and the faculty get to meet alumni throughout the state who help teach at the camp. As a major recruiting event, it showcases the FHSU Department of Music.”

New this summer, the camp will feature a string orchestra and alternative strings. Dr. Brian Buckstead, FHSU orchestra director, will direct the camp’s high school orchestra. Erika Pinkston, Great Bend orchestra director, will direct the high school alternative strings, and Brayden Smith, the new Hays High School orchestra director, will direct the middle school orchestra and alternative strings.

“They will do all kinds of arrangements to get kids excited about playing string music,” Lillpopp said. “Traditionally, string music is much more classically oriented than band, so this will be a way to get kids excited about playing strings.”

The public is invited to attend High Plains Music Camp concerts, all of which will be at the Beach-Schmidt Performing Arts Center. All concerts are free of charge.

Concert dates and times:

Tuesday, June 25, at 7 p.m. Faculty Recital

Wednesday, June 26, at 7 p.m. Student Honor Recital

Thursday, June 27, at 7 p.m. Faculty Band Concert

Friday, June 28, 6 p.m. Night of Jazz

Saturday, June 29, 1:45 p.m. Middle School Orchestra; 2:30 p.m. Middle School Band; 3:15 High School Orchestra; 4 p.m. High School Band