By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Hays City Band is organizing for the summer season on the direction of new Fort Hays State University professor Peter Lillpopp.
The band accepts community members high school age and older of all skill levels. Lillpopp urged potential band members not to be afraid of the difficulty level of the music. The band includes college students and faculty who can play the more difficult parts.
The band’s first rehearsal will be 7 to 9 pm. Monday, June 4, at the newly remodeled FHSU Dilley Rehearsal Hall in Malloy Hall. Other rehearsals will be the Mondays before performances on June 11, 18 and 25, also at the rehearsal hall.
Musicians do not have to attend all rehearsals or participate in all performances.
If you don’t own an instrument, one can be provided through the college.
The free performances will be:
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 12 at the Hays Downtown Pavillion
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 19 at the WaKeeney VFW
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 26 at Washington Elementary School in Ellis
The band will play a range of music, including Sousa marches, jazz, movie scores and tunes from Broadway musicals.
“I really like it when I go into to communities and they have something going on downtown, and if it is great music, even better,” Lillpopp said during an interview this week on the KAYS Morning Show. “It really showcases the community and community pride. It is patriotism really. Short of going into the military, there is nothing more patriotic than you can do than join a community band.”
Lillpopp has conducted other community bands, including the Boulder Community Band and Windham Concert Band in Connecticut.
“So this is something that I really believe in—community bands,” Lillpopp said. “I have played in many as a tuba player and conducted many. I am really excited to get to work with them.”
Lillpopp just completed his first year teaching at FHSU. He is the director of athletic bands and low brass. He recently graduated from the University Colorado with a PhD. He received his undergraduate degree from University of Southern California, where he also was involved with the marching band.
“They have a really good tradition here that was started by my predecessor, Lane Weaver, so I have been trying to just continue the really good things that are going on here in Hays,” Lillpopp said.
The FHSU band has already met to discuss shows for the fall football season, he said.
For more information on the community band or its concerts, contact Lillpopp at 785-628-5353 or by email at [email protected].