Junior high and high school instrumentalists and high school vocalists can experience a week of quality musical performances and training in classes and workshops from guest artists at the Fort Hays State University High Plains Music Camp, July 14 to July 20.
The 2013 guest artists are Dr. German Gutierrez, orchestra director at Texas Christian University, John Fedchock, jazz trombonist from New York City, and Karl Fenner, principal bass in the Colorado Symphony.
The cost of the camp is $495 for the full week or $200 to participate as a day camper and not spend the night on campus. Noon meal cards are available for $50 for day campers.
Each evening features a concert by either guest artists, faculty or campers.
Monday, July 15, and Tuesday, July 16, will be faculty and staff recitals.
Wednesday, July 17, will be the Campers’ Honor Recital and the Camper Talent Show.
Thursday, July 18, will be the Faculty Ensemble Concert.
Friday, July 19, will be the Jazz Concert, Alternative Strings Concert and the Camp Dance.
All campers are enrolled in a mini class that meets daily. Here, students refine their skills or pick up new ones. Class placement is based on application date.
High school vocalists do not select classes. They are enrolled in Choir, Music Theatre, Vocal Jazz Ensemble and Staging for Singers, Song Literature, and other topics specifically related to vocal students.
The 2013 camp line up has 19 mini courses.
Camp Choir: All campers enroll in Camp Choir.
Musical Theatre: Musical Theatre is for campers who enjoy being part of a production. Class members learn scenes of a Broadway musical.
Alternative Strings: Alternative Strings explore the different styles of string playing and learn jazz, rock, Celtic and fiddling techniques.
String Literature: Discover many standards of string literature including style, small and large ensembles, score reading, and basic orchestral conducting in String Literature.
Double Reed Making: In Double Reed Making, students learn the tricks of the trade for making oboe or bassoon reeds. Participants are asked to bring $10 to cover the expense of materials.
Flutists Makeover: Flutists will be able to transform their playing with tips to create better tone, intonation, vibrato and faster fingers in Flutists Makeover, which includes an introduction to piccolo technique.
Drum Line Fundamentals: Drum Line Fundamentals includes a survey of rudimentary drum techniques that apply to traditional drum line preparation.
Electric Guitar Class: Students learn the basics in Electric Guitar Class. Campers must provide their own instruments and amps.
Jazz Bass Class: Jazz Bass Class improves electric or upright bass skills to accommodate the many jazz idioms. Campers must provide instruments and amps.
Conducting Fundamentals: Conducting Fundamentals allows students to learn the beat patterns, style, score reading and rehearsal techniques for conductors. It is a class for new drum majors or choral-instrumental student directors.
Advanced Conducting: Advanced Conducting is the next step for conducting students. It is a class for student band or orchestra conductors and drum majors.
Rhythm Fundamentals: Rhythm Fundamentals improves counting and rhythmic skills as applied to all styles of music. All first-year and sixth- and seventh-grade campers are automatically enrolled in the class.
Sight Reading: Sight Reading allows campers to learn sight reading skills to make learning new music easier for solos and ensembles.
History of Composers: Students explore the highlights of musical standards through time, brought to life through videos and recordings.
Jazz Piano: Campers learn chord changes and voicing to play with lively jazz combos.
Jazz Improvisation: Campers experiment with “outrageous ideas” and gain comfort performing on their own instruments. Sections are open for saxophone, trumpet and trombone.
Theory and Ear Training: Theory and Ear Training helps with hearing, with identifying melodies, intervals and chords and in discovering how music is composed.
Music Composition: Music Composition is for more advanced students who have had previous theory training and want to dive deeper into how to write your own music.
Multimedia Class: Students create musical and video projects using their own computers.
Register online at www.fhsu.edu/musiccamp.
Since its founding in 1947, thousands of students have attended High Plains Music Camp. Sixty-six years later, the camp continues to offer students the opportunity to study with outstanding musicians from across the country.
Campers experience a week of stimulating, concentrated study with nationally recognized musicians, teachers, and conductors. Performances and concerts and recreational and social camp life make the week an event worth repeating year after year.
For more information, contact Dr. Ivalah Allen, camp director, at 785-628-4226 or ijallen@fhsu.edu.