two weeks in Vipiteno, Italy, where the students were mentored by world-class musicians and vocalists. Schumacher sang in the master and performance classes, was part of the festival choir, had roles in opera scenes and performed two solo recitals. Schumacher auditioned for the festival by sending in recordings of her voice so it could be evaluated. After Schumacher’s acceptance, part of her expenses were paid for through FHSU scholarships, which helped make her trip possible. “It’s an opportunity I definitely wouldn’t have had otherwise,” said Schumacher, who in addition to her music study and performances, had time off to visit both Verona and Venice. “Not only was I excited to have three of my students accepted to the festival, but I was also personally excited to share Italy with them as they experience it for the first time,” Perniciaro said. “Walking the canals of Venice and discussing not only things of musical significance that happened there, but also the city’s place in history,” he added. “Another highlight was attending a performance of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly at the ancient Roman Arena di Verona. I remember my first trip to Europe in college, and it made lifelong impressions.” This opportunity came about through Perniciaro’s invitation to teach and perform at the festival. “Through my reputation as a teacher and performer, I received offers to work at the festival for several years but was never able to accept due to conflicts but quickly said ‘yes’ this year,” he said. “There is preferential consideration for the students of artists-inresidence. Opportunities like this can be a big selling point for our program. The students get to not only perform in Italy but also live there and experience the culture for an extended period.” The students received financial support from the Department of Music and Theatre and the FHSU Foundation through the study abroad office at FHSU. Schumacher started taking vocal lessons in the sixth grade. She attended FHSU’s High Plains Music Camp for two years and was a counselor for another summer. She liked her time at the camp and was sold on Fort Hays State being her college choice. “I really enjoyed the music faculty and the campus,” she said. Schumacher is on track to finish her undergraduate degree in music this spring, then will concentrate on getting a nursing degree. While the Orfeo Music Festival was Schumacher’s first summer experience, Clayton Capra’s summer program in Maine was his second in as many years; he was part of a program with Asheville Lyric Opera in North Carolina in 2016. Capra, who grew up in Dighton, is on track to graduate in spring 2018 with an undergraduate degree in music performance at FHSU. Capra is planning on getting a master’s degree then relocating to the Dallas-Fort Worth area to start his budding musical career. The connections Capra made both in North Carolina and at this summer’s Atlantic Music Festival at Colby College in Waterville, Me., could serve him well, Perniciaro said. “With any program, students will make professional connections with conductors, coaches, stage directors who can be lifelong mentors as well as personal relationships with peers,” Perniciaro said. “For me, summer programs have a natural progression. They are all competitive either nationally or internationally, and each program is tailored toward a singer in a different phase of development. “For me, it’s figuring out the best options for specific students to audition. It could be one or multiple.” For Capra, a baritone, it meant a summer at the Asheville Lyric
Opera Summer Young Artist Program in 2016 in Asheville, N.C. He was one of six students selected from national auditions. This summer, it meant being part of the ninth annual Atlantic Music Festival in Maine; for which he was also selected through national audition. “It was a really cool experience because there were a lot of concerts,” Capra said. “There were lots of things going on all the time.” “Last summer was also a ton of fun,” Capra said of his North
“My philosophy has always been when given an opportunity or challenge, with the right training, these students not only rise to meet it, but also relish it.” Dr. Joseph Perniciaro, associate professor, Department of Music and Theatre
Carolina experience. “It’s always good to do these summer programs because you always meet really great people.” Perniciaro is always looking for the right fit for his students, Capra said. “Dr. P always tries to make sure students are active,” Capra said. “He pushes a lot of these kind of programs. He’s got a pretty good list of different places we can apply to.” “I think Fort Hays State is good about promoting these opportunities,” he added. “It’s very hard when you’re so far from where many of these programs take place. I think Dr. P is pretty good about promoting them.” Capra also attended FHSU’s High Plains Music Camp, starting the summer after his sophomore year in high school, and he later became a camp counselor. Capra is pleased with his decision to attend Fort Hays State. “It helped to have tuition rates very affordable,” said Capra, who also received music scholarships. “I will be graduating with no student debt.” “While I’ve been at Fort Hays State, I’ve been able to compete in vocal festivals and vocal competitions. I had the opportunity to do the summer programs.” Perniciaro works to get the best out of his students; summer programs are part of that. “It’s rewarding for me professionally, and I’m also extremely proud of all the students,” he said. “They’re involved with music for a reason when they get to college. The idea is always challenging them, no matter what their goals are.” The summer programs are integral to FHSU students’ improvement. “It’s a necessity,” Perniciaro said. “What these summer programs do is give students an opportunity to experience what life as a professional musician would be like.” FHSU.EDU/music-and-theatre 15