Week-long camp will include orchestra instruction

By DIANE GASPER-O'BRIEN

dobrien@dailynews.net

The High Plains Band Camp at Fort Hays State University long has been known as one of the best of its kind in the state.

The best just got better.

This year's camp, in its 62nd year, has been expanded to include orchestra instruction.

And one of the campers will come all the way from Seattle to participate in the week-long camp.

Seventeen-year-old Gabriella Vizzutti, an accomplished violinist and percussionist, is the daughter of Allen and Laura Vizzutti from Seattle, who will be featured in the first of several faculty performances.

Allen Vizzutti, professor of trumpet who performs regularly around the world, will serve as the trumpet instructor.

Having Vizzutti on staff for the second time in three years got the attention of campers, especially trumpet players.

Total numbers for the camp are up this year for the first time in more than 20 years, with nearly 290 students in grades six through 12 registered to participate.

Campers come to the FHSU campus today to audition for spots in different bands, then practice with those groups all week long for next weekend's performances.

There will be three bands and one orchestra at the high school level, as well as a middle school band.

"This year there will be so much competition in the high school bands," said Kay Werth, in her fifth year as director of the camp. "There are 31 trumpets in high school alone."

The community is invited to the faculty and student concerts, and Werth said that Monday's kickoff concert is one music lovers won't want to miss.

"Every concert is free," she said. "It's another source of culture for our community.

The Vizzuttis' concert Monday is set for 7 p.m. in Sheridan Hall's Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center with Allen Vizzutti on trumpet and his wife, Laura, on the piano.

The faculty recital is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, also in Beach/Schmidt, with other faculty performance on Thursday and Friday nights as well.