INTERVIEW: Dr. Peter Lillpopp, Director of Bands at Fort Hays State University

Bowen Boyack of KBN: Tell me about yourself and what inspired you to get this job as a Band Director at Fort Hays State.

Peter Lillpopp: I taught public school band and orchestra for seven years and when I started teaching at the college level, I wanted to find a job where I could be both a conductor and teach low brass. I actually have two masters degrees, one in conducting and one in tuba performance. I did my doctorate in conducting at the University of Colorado and initially wanted to work in Hays to be within driving distance of the front range. Hays is also halfway in between two really great cities (Denver and Kansas City). When I interviewed for the position at FHSU, I was immediately struck by how dedicated and kind the students were. They are also really smart! The Tiger Marching Band is mostly non-music majors who are really hard-working. It’s the smartest band I’ve ever directed!

BB: Tell me a little bit about the Band Program here at FHSU. 

PL: The band program at FHSU includes two concert bands, two jazz ensembles, and the Tiger Marching Band. My colleague, Dr. Jeff Jordan conducts the Wind Ensemble and I conduct the Symphonic Winds. We both team teach the Tiger Marching Band and there are additional staff for the drumline and colorguard. There is also a dance team called the Tiger Debs that dance to everything the marching band plays. The Tiger Pep Band is auditioned from the marching band members and plays at all home men’s and women’s basketball games. We offer stipends to all of our Marching and Pep Band members that increase with every year of participation. We have a really active leadership team that not only helps things run smoothly but also give our students the opportunity to make a difference in our program and provides them with valuable leadership skills.

BB: What concert ensembles are offered for Woodwind, Brass, Percussion, and Band as a whole at FHSU? 

PL: The FHSU Wind Ensemble is formed by auditions that are held at the beginning of the fall semester. They are usually one-on-a-part and perform four times a year. The Symphonic Winds is open to all (no audition required) and is the largest concert band on campus. Both groups are open to all majors, not just music majors. There are two jazz ensembles led by Brad Dawson, Director of FHSU Jazz Studies. Dean Kransler is our Percussion Professor and he directs the FHSU Percussion Ensemble. Additionally, there are several small ensembles including the FHSU Flute and Clarinet Choirs, the Double Reed Consort, and the Brass Choir. These groups perform each semester on the FHSU Small Ensembles Concert.

BB: Tell me about your Marching Band. Are there any special awards that your band has received?

PL: The FHSU Tiger Marching Band is a beloved institution in the city of Hays. We have such a large support group from our wonderful Alumni Foundation, FHSU Athletics, and Hays community members. The band recently performed at the inauguration of our new university president, Dr. Tisa Mason. Every year the Tiger Marching Band hosts the High Plains Marching Festival where high school bands from across Kansas perform for adjudication. The FHSU band members host each visiting band, guide them around the campus, and then perform in exhibition for the high schools in attendance. This past fall we hosted our largest festival ever with 21 bands participating!

BB: Are there any upcoming trips your bands will be taking (within the next 4-5 years)?

PL: The FHSU Football team has been really good the past couple of years winning the MIAA Conference the past two years in a row. This year the band travelled to the University of Indianapolis for the NCAA Division II playoffs. They don’t show any signs of slowing down so I anticipate more post season travel in the future! The Tiger Pep Band usually travels to the MIAA Basketball Playoffs each March in Kansas City and last year went to the NCAA playoffs in beautiful downtown Sioux Falls South Dakota!

BB: What concert band repertoire are your bands playing this year? When are your upcoming performances?

PL: The FHSU Bands concerts this semester are on Sunday March 3rd at 3:30pm and Friday May 10th at 7:30pm in the Beach-Schmidt Performing Arts Center on the FHSU campus. On our March concert, we will be performing a world premiere of a new piece that was commissioned from Kansas City area composer, Daniel Morel titled Flint Shards. FHSU Bands led a consortium of 21 Kansas area high schools and colleges to fund this project. For our May concert, we will be featuring a new work by another Kansas composer, Alyssa Morris, called Cryptids.

BB: Looking forward to 2019, any plans for your band that you would be willing to share? 

PL: In addition to our March and May concerts, we have an active community band that rehearses and performs during the summer called the Hays City Band. They rehearse on Monday nights and perform three concerts in June. Anyone high school aged or older can join. The FHSU Music Department hosts the High Plains Music Camp July 14th-20th. The HPMC has been a tradition in Hays for the past 70+ years and is one of the most comprehensive music camps that I have been associated with. Hundreds of middle and high school students get to perform in bands, orchestras, choirs, and music theater. The faculty includes current and former FHSU faculty and students, as well as visiting faculty from throughout the United States.

Thank you, Dr. Lillpopp. Best of luck to you and the FHSU Bands in the future.