79th High Plains Music Camp - June 21-27, 2026
Register Now Handbook Scholarship Application
Camp Dates
June 21-27, 2026
Registration Deadline
June 5th
About the Camp
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.
Since its founding in 1947 by the late Harold G. Palmer, thousands of students have attended High Plains Music Camp. Seventy-nine years later, the camp continues to offer students the opportunity to study with outstanding musicians and teachers. Rehearsals and performances as well as recreational and social time make the week an event worth repeating year after year.
Camp Fees
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.
Facilities
All rehearsals are held on the FHSU campus in Malloy Hall, Tomanek Hall, McCartney Hall, Alberton Hall, Stroup Hall, Memorial Union, and the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center. Overnight campers stay in the McMindes Dormatory located a short walk from the rehearsal halls. Meals are served in the McMindes cafeteria. Campus Map
Daily Schedule
| 6:30 – 8:20 | Breakfast |
| 7:30 – 8:20 | Camp Chorus |
| 8:30 – 9:20 | Sectionals |
| 9:30 – 10:20 | Large Ensemble Rehearsals |
| 10:30 – 11:20 | Small Ensemble Rehearsals |
| 11:30 – 12:30 | Lunch |
| 12:40 – 1:40 | Small Ensemble Rehearsals |
| 1:50 – 2:50 | Large Ensemble Rehearsals |
| 3:00 – 4:50 | Recreation |
| 5:00 – 6:50 | Dinner |
| 7:00 – 8:30 | Monday: Hays City Band |
| Tuesday: Faculty Recital | |
| Wednesday: Student Honor Recital | |
| Thursday: Faculty Band Concert | |
| Friday: HPMC Jazz | |
| 8:30 – 10:00 | Free Time |
Concert Schedule
| Monday | 7:00PM | Hays City Band Concert | Beach/Schmidt PAC |
| Tuesday | 7:00PM | Faculty Recital | Beach/Schmidt PAC |
| Wednesday | 7:00PM | Student Honor Recital | Beach/Schmidt PAC |
| Thursday | 7:00PM | Faculty Band Concert | Beach/Schmidt PAC |
| Friday | 7:00PM | HPMC Jazz | Beach/Schmidt PAC |
| Saturday | 9:00AM | MS Small Ensembles | Beach/Schmidt PAC |
| 10:30AM | HS Large Ensembles | Beach/Schmidt PAC | |
| 1:00PM | MS Tiger Orchestra | Beach/Schmidt PAC | |
| 1:30PM | MS Tiger Band | Beach/Schmidt PAC | |
| 2:00PM | HS Palmer Orchestra | Beach/Schmidt PAC | |
| 2:30PM | HS Palmer Honor Band | Beach/Schmidt PAC |
Student 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.
Scholarships
Need based scholarships are available (see application above) as well as through philanthropic organizations like the Band of Angels. Band of Angels is a 501c3 nonprofit devoted to providing instruments, scholarships and support to children in need in the greater Kansas City Area.
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 with the campers during their rehearsals and recreation time. All residence halls are strictly supervised.
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). The large and small ensembles rehearse twice everyday. In the evening, campers attend recitals and concerts presented by visting artists, camp faculty and fellow students.
Recreation time is scheduled every afternoon where students 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 in 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 minus 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
June 25–July 1, 2028
June 24–30, 2029
For more information, contact Dr. Peter Lillpopp, Camp Director, at (785)628-5353 or p_lillpopp@fhsu.edu.