What is HPPA?
High Plains Percussion Academy is the first concerted long-term effort at establishing a presence of basic percussion education for middle school and high school students in the High Plains region. Much of the High Plains region is extremely lacking in music education for percussionists (particularly in the marching arts), and HPPA aims to fill that void.
While geared primarily towards the marching arts community, HPPA is expanding to encompass all areas of percussion education: marching, concert, small ensembles, and beyond.
Originally targeted at Garden City and the southwest Kansas region, HPPA now aims to serve an area encompassing parts of Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Texas, and New Mexico, and will be growing to support dozens of students and their talents in 2023.
Camp Information
HPPA is a 5-day camp tailored specifically for aspiring drummers and percussionists seeking to improve their marching percussion skills, and is perfect for high school students looking to make the leap from a middle school or high school drumline to a collegiate drumline, drum corps, or indoor percussion ensemble.
Over the course of 5 days, this camp will cover many of the essentials of marching percussion related to corps-style marching:
- Modern movement and visual technique.
- Rudimental drumming and percussion technique fundamentals.
- Rehearsal and practice strategies for rapid learning and development.
- Physical conditioning and low-level fitness training to help prevent or mitigate injuries.
- Instrument maintenance and upkeep.
All participants in the camp will receive quality instruction from experienced staff and professional clinicians, utilizing effective methods for teaching and reinforcing the fundamentals of the modern marching arts activities.
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
There is a registration fee of $150 per person, which includes a camp T-shirt, all instruction music and materials, and a pair of Vic Firth Ralph Hardimon signature marching sticks.
Scholarships are available to those who need them; for more information, please contact us about financial assistance.
HPPA is held at the Pauline Joyce Fine Arts Building on the campus of Garden City Community College in Garden City, KS.
For 2023, the camp dates are July 10th through July 14th.
HPPA is primarily for incoming high school students, but incoming 7th or 8th graders are welcome to attend, as well as incoming college freshmen.
You do not have to be from Garden City to attend. This camp is open to all students who can make it to Garden City when it happens.
Camp attendees living outside of the Garden City area that require lodging or housing while at camp are welcome to stay with friends or relatives off-campus, or at local hotels if so desired.
We are currently working to secure the use of the GCCC dormitories for those looking for a cheaper alternative than local hotels, and will post more information on that availability as we obtain it.
The short answer: Maybe.
The long answer: If you are able to bring a battery instrument (snare drum, bass drum, tenors, or cymbals) we ask that you please bring it to guarantee that you will have an instrument to play on.
HPPA currently has enough battery instruments to accommodate approximately 25 players, and enough mallet instruments to accommodate about 8 players.
While we are working to secure more instruments to accommodate all students, any personal instruments that can be provided is greatly appreciated.
Unless you have a dietary restriction or requirement for certain types of food, you do not need to bring your own food or snacks (however, you are welcome to bring whatever food or snacks you wish to have during meal breaks and downtime).
Campers who can provide for their own meals can eat at the GCCC campus cafeteria for a low-cost option, and there are dozens of off-campus restaurants and diners within a short walk or drive from GCCC.
HPPA can assist campers who are unable to provide for their own meals due to financial or other limitations on an as-needed basis.