HSU Insider

The Lure of the Black and White Is Just Too Strong

• By Janlyn Echols Thaxton
• Posted July 2, 2009 12:24 AM
• 0 Comments

"I heard about this camp last year, but I didn't think I was advanced enough to come," says Blake Copsey with a bit of a shrug. But this year, the red-haired, soon-to-be a high school junior is one of an exclusive group of students at Hardin-Simmons University.

Only 15 students are allowed to come to the summer piano camp says co-director Lauren Puckett. "That's the maximum amount since we have to make sure each student has a practice room with a piano and an opportunity to perform in a master class."

"When they apply," says Puckett, "they are required to submit a recording of a performance and a letter of recommendation from their piano teacher."

Puckett and husband, Dr. Mark Puckett, both on the faculty in the HSU school of music, started the camp five years ago. "We want serious piano students to experience a week of intensive study and enjoy the company of others who share their love of music," says Puckett, working late into the evening. Students are preparing for a morning recital their parents will be attending.

When Blake was little, he watched and listened as his mother sometimes taught piano to as many as 18 students per day in their home near Flower Mound. At age seven, he says, he was tired of only listening. "I wanted to play!"

"I think I was one of her youngest students," says Blake. "But when friends saw how well I was doing at such a young age, they wanted to play too -- and many did."

Blake says he has spent all summer practicing, participating in recitals, and doing some piano competitions. "I practice at least two hours a day. I haven't really had a summer break, but that doesn't matter, if it has to do with piano, I love it," says Blake.

One of the things the students do for fun is to go to First Baptist Church in downtown Abilene to play the Shelton Organ, a multi-million dollar pipe organ that was donated to the church and recently refurbished. Puckett says, "An organ has a much different feel and it can be a little intimidating. Many of these very serious keyboard students have never played an organ."

Blake says one of his favorite activities is composing a piece of music. Students leave with a compilation of everyone's compositions and they vote on their favorite one during a dress rehearsal.

In the usually formal setting of Woodward-Dellis Recital Hall, students cheer and wildly applaud their fellow campers as they play their compositions. Students practice a deep, sweeping bow to their audience, both before and after their performance.

Blake says his composition was inspired by the quick rhythms of Carol of the Bells. "I've had the beginnings of this piece in my head for several months, but when it was finalized, it was something completely different than I had imagined it. I like it better."

Shirley Anderson, a long-time church pianist and part of the camp faculty, says one of the things they discuss during the week is performance anxiety. "Musicians do some of the same things to conquer fear that athletes do in sports." Anderson continues, "We talk about putting your performance in perspective--recognizing this is just one of many performances. We also talk about foods you should avoid, like caffeine and sugar which hype you up."

"One of the coolest fun things," says Blake "is ensemble. In my group, there were seven of us all playing together, each of us on our own piano. That was a new experience for me."

Puckett says, "Several of the students who have attended past camps have since come to HSU for their degrees - in piano performance, theory/composition, and music education. It's a wonderful way for students to experience HSU and get to know some of the music faculty."

Blake says that's his plan. The camp was a way to check out the university. "I know this is where I would like to be in a couple of years. Each of us got so much personal attention. We were not just numbers. I know a lot more theory and we worked on techniques, I feel a lot more confident now."

Blake's parents will be at the concert Thursday morning at 10:00 in the recital hall. "I'm excited for them to hear what we all have done," he says with a mix of excitement and anticipation.

The recital is free and open to anyone who would like to give support to the week-long efforts of students whose summer break is dedication to their love of music.