79th High Plains Music Camp - June 21-27, 2026
Register Now Handbook Scholarship Application
Registration Deadline: June 5th
Since its founding in 1947 by the late Harold G. Palmer, thousands of students have attended High Plains Music Camp. Over seventy-five 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, concerts, as well as recreational and social camp life make the week an event worth repeating year after year.
Band of Angels is a 501c3 nonprofit devoted to providing instruments, scholarships and all the support that children 
in need in the greater Kansas City Area require to succeed in music.
The High Plains Music Camp (HPMC) is a summer music camp for middle and high school aged students grades 6-13. The camp features a middle school and high school concert band and string orchestra as well as small ensembles and solo opportunities.
June 21-27, 2026. Camp fees for overnight campers are $580 and cover all room, board, instruction, and recreation costs for the 7-day camp. Daycampers who have their own overnight accommodations can register for $370, with additional meal plans available for purchase.
All camp activities are held on the FHSU campus. Classes and rehearsals are held in several university buildings, including Malloy Hall and the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center. Students stay in the FHSU dormitories, located a short walk from the academic buildings where classes and rehearsals take place. Meals are held in the dorm cafeteria, and are included in the tuition for students staying on campus. Campus Map
Honors Recital
All are welcome to apply to perform on the HPMC Student Honors Recital. Applicants can apply by sending a recorded performance (MP3 file) of their solo. Please email your performance to: p_lillpopp@fhsu.edu. The dealine to apply is May 8th and winners will be selected by May 29th.
Monday Hays City Band Concert - Beach/Schmidt PAC
7:00PM
Tuessday HPMC FACULTY RECITAL - Beach/Schmidt PAC
7:00PM
Wednesday STUDENT HONOR RECITAL - Beach/Schmidt PAC
7:00PM
Thursday HPMC FACULTY BAND CONCERT - Beach/Schmidt PAC
7:00PM
Friday JAZZ NIGHT - Beach/Schmidt PAC
7:00PM - MS Blue Jazz Band & HS Palmer Honor Jazz Band
Saturday SMALL ENSEMBLES CONCERT - Beach/Schmidt PAC
9:00AM - 12:00PM
Saturday LARGE ENSEMBLES CONCERT - Beach/Schmidt PAC
1:00 - MS Tiger Orchestra
1:30 -MS Tiger Band
2:00 -HS Palmer String Orchestra
2:30 -HS Palmer Honor Band
Click here for answers to some common questions about camp. If you have any questions feel free to contact us at (785) 628-5353 or p_lillpopp@fhsu.edu.
Counselors are on duty all day working closely with the campers in their activities. All residence hall facilities are strictly supervised. More information can be found in the camp handbook.
Everyday begins with a sectional rehearsal for each instrument. All students participate in one large ensemble (band or string orchestra) and one small ensemble (Jazz Band, Woodwind or Brass Choir, Percussion Ensemble, String Ensemble). Each large and ensemble and small ensemble have two rehearsals everyday. Throughout the week campers attend evening recitals and concerts presented by visting artists, camp faculty and fellow students.
Recreation time is scheduled every afternoon where you can practice, take private lessons with faculty, rest, or visit with fellow campers in the common areas of the dorm.
The full camp fee includes tuition, room, meals, and instruction. If campers choose to take private lessons, their is an additional lesson fee ($25 per 30-minute lesson) that can be paid directly to the private instructor by check or cash.
Scholarships are awarded based on financial need. See the Scholarship Application above to apply. Email your completed Scholarships Application to: p_lillpopp@fhsu.edu.
No cars are allowed during band camp. Campers driving to camp must turn in their keys to the head counselors for the week.
The ratio of campers to staff is approximately 5 - 1.
Students entering grades 9–13 the Fall are eligible for the high school large and small ensembles.
Students who will be in grades 6–8 in the Fall are eligible for the middle school large and small ensembles.
Campers may request a roommate on the CampDoc registration system. Both roomates must request each other on their registration. Middle and High School campers may not share the same room.
Written cancellations received prior to June 5 will receive a refund less the $100 non-refundable deposit. No refunds will be made after June 5.
The HPMC will occur during the last week in June. Future camp dates are:
June 20-26, 2027
For more information, contact Dr. Peter Lillpopp, Camp Director, at (785)628-5353 or p_lillpopp@fhsu.edu.