Elective classes at Interlochen enhance and broaden a student’s experience by allowing them to choose classes that most interest them. Some electives allow students to explore a new subject and others have prerequisites. A student’s choice of electives may be limited by schedule and program space.

Elective options vary by program. Electives are not available to students enrolled in Dance, Advanced String Quartet, Vocal Soloist Studies, Musical Theatre Production, Advanced Drawing or Advanced Painting.

Creative Writing

CREATIVE WRITING
This course will offer high school students an opportunity to explore and amplify their creative writing skills. Throughout the session, students can expect a combination of imaginative writing exercises, short reading activities, informal discussion and free writing time. Class activities will range from poetry to fiction to dramatic writing. Laptop computers are not used for this elective.
Prerequisite: None

Dance

GENERAL DANCE
This class is designed for the beginning dance student or for those who wish to maintain a basic training routine during the summer. This class contains components of both ballet and contemporary movement and focuses on sound body awareness, alignment and movement quality.
Prerequisite: None

Motion Picture Arts

SURVEY OF FILM
This course will offer students an opportunity to explore the history of the art of film - from its birth to its modern existence as a staple of entertainment. Throughout the session, students can expect a combination of film screenings, critical discussions of innovative films and groundbreaking filmmakers, and an introduction to tools of the trade.
Prerequisite: None

Music

20th CENTURY MUSIC
Students will explore concepts of melody, rhythm and harmony in music through careful examination of scores, recordings and in-class performances. Music supplies may cost up to $20. Prerequisite: Music Theory or equivalent experience

COMPOSITION (BEGINNING)
Students will develop original musical ideas leading to possible performance of works on Composers’ Forums and in class. Music supplies may cost up to $20.
Prerequisite: Basic knowledge of music theory and notation; three or more years of private study of major instrument.

COMPOSITION (ADVANCED)
Students will develop original musical ideas leading to possible performance of works on Composers’ Forums and in class. Music supplies may cost up to $20. Prerequisite: Basic knowledge of music theory and notation; must submit manuscript for acceptance in class prior to enrollment. Manuscripts should be sent prior to the beginning of camp.

CHOIR
Students will study and perform a selected vocal repertoire. Emphasis is placed on articulation, tone quality, timbre, and music reading. All students enrolled in the choir elective will perform in the choir concerts.
Prerequisite: None

ELECTRONIC / COMPUTER MUSIC
This course is an introduction to synthesizers and computer music. Students will use Yamaha digital keyboards and Macintosh computers to explore the fundamentals of synthesis with emphasis on creative projects and sound design.
Prerequisite: Basic music reading skills. Keyboard skills are helpful, but not necessary.

JAZZ BAND
Participants in the jazz band focus on stylistic interpretation, improvisation, group interaction and sight-reading skills. Students participating in other ensembles may audition for the Jazz band, which satisfies the chamber music requirement. The Jazz band performs in “Jazz Fest” three times during the course of the summer.
Prerequisite: Audition required at the beginning of camp

JAZZ PIANO
An introduction to jazz piano skills with specific attention to jazz piano voicings, basic comping techniques and functional ensemble playing.
Prerequisite: Piano and organ majors only.

MUSIC LITERATURE
The course presents a review of representative styles, forms, genres and composers in historical context ranging from Medieval through contemporary periods. Emphasis is placed upon structured listening and elementary analytical techniques. Music supplies may cost up to $20.
Prerequisite: None

MUSIC THEORY
Instructors will take a comprehensive approach to music theory, including the study of music’s building blocks (melody, rhythm, harmony, form, timbre) as well as the development of analytical, listening, reading and creative skills. Students will be placed into one of three levels of study based on experience and level of preparation. Music supplies may cost up to $20.
Prerequisite: None

ORCHESTRATION
Students will study the principles of instrumentation through listening, analysis of important literature and preparation of scores for various ensembles for in-class readings. Music supplies may cost up to $20.
Prerequisite: Music Theory or equivalent experience

ORGAN (BEGINNING)
A beginning class in the fundamentals of organ-playing. Prerequisite: Three years or more of piano study and ability to play Bach Two-part Inventions and a Clementi Sonatina.

PIANO CLASS (BEGINNING) FOR VOICE STUDENTS
This class builds a foundation for voice students by presenting the fundamentals of piano and music. Focus is on sight-reading, repertoire for the beginner, rhythmic notation, two-handed note reading with both clefs, and interpretation.
Prerequisite: Choral and Operetta majors only.

PIANO LITERATURE
The study and analysis of keyboard music with a focus on prominent composer techniques, forms, and their idiomatic styles.
Prerequisite: Piano and organ majors only.

PIANO MASTER CLASS
Class provides daily opportunities for piano and organ majors to interact in a performance class, a group lesson, a studio class or a master class with faculty and guest artists. This class also covers special topics such as early keyboard instruments, musician wellness and performance anxiety.
Prerequisite: Piano and organ majors only.

PRACTICE HOUR
Provides additional time for the dedicated music student to practice their solo or ensemble repertoire.
Prerequisite: Music program students only.

PRIVATE LESSONS
Students who are proficient on an instrument and desire to continue private study during the camp session may do so as an elective option if their schedule permits. Lessons are 50 minutes each and individual instruction is available in classical piano and all band and orchestral instruments only. Additional cost is $80 per week.
Prerequisite: Three years previous study on instrument

Theatre

INTRODUCTION TO ACTING
The course is designed for non-majors who have an interest in exploring the fundamentals of preparation for theatrical performance. Students will engage in voice and movement exercises, improvisation, theatre games and limited work with scripted material.
Prerequisite: None

THEATRE TOPICS
Classes encompass a variety of potential subjects, such as Shakespeare, physical characterization, improvisation, voice and diction, and mask. Specifics of Theatre Topics subjects are determined each spring by the individual specialties of faculty and staff.
Prerequisite: Theatre majors only.

Visual Arts

BOOK ARTS
This one-period class is open to all students and will provide both introductory and more challenging experiences. The course will touch upon a variety of traditional and non-traditional approaches to book arts and students will learn the history and form of book arts while engaging in the physical construction of hand-made books. While providing a cross-disciplinary opportunity, the course is primarily designed to enable students to use the book format in their work as a means of giving visual structure to their ideas. This course is also recommended as an elective for creative writing majors.
Prerequisite: None

CERAMICS
This one-period course is open to all students and will provide both introductory and more challenging experiences. The course will focus on hand and slab building techniques and will also provide an introduction to a variety of other building and surfacing techniques. Functional and sculptural approaches to ceramics are explored. Individual and group projects emphasize form and surface design. There is no throwing on the wheel in this class.
Prerequisite: None

CERAMICS II
This two-period course will provide students with more advanced opportunities in the art and science of ceramics. This course will acquaint students with a variety of techniques such as hand-building, modeling, slip-casting, a variety of surfacing techniques and an introduction to wheel-throwing techniques. Functional and sculptural approaches to ceramics are explored through individual and group projects that emphasize form and surface design.
Prerequisite: Visual Arts major

DRAWING
This one-period course is open to all students and is designed to develop hand-eye coordination and the ability to draw from observation. An investigation of traditional media through simple exercises starting with gestures, blind contours and contour drawings, will help students to develop foundational drawing skills. Students will also investigate linear perspective, the development of pictorial space, composition and how significant artists used the media they are studying. Personal expression is explored through open assignments.
Prerequisite: None

DRAWING/PRINTMAKING
This one-period elective course is open to all students and will provide both introductory and more challenging experiences in these two related media. This course will combine a variety of traditional printmaking techniques and students’ drawing skills. Students will investigate a number of traditional drawing processes while also exploring such techniques as: etching, woodcut or linoleum, monoprinting and other printmaking processes. The history of printmaking will also be discussed during this class.
Prerequisite: None

FIBERS
This one-period course is open to all students and will provide both introductory and more challenging experiences for students. The class will look at traditional textile techniques such as pattern drafting, woven structure, weaving and surface design, while also investigating non-traditional methods. An investigation of materials will expose students to concerns with both conventional materials and other non-traditional materials such as found and gathered materials and paper. Students will work both individually and collaboratively on projects that explore issues of division of space, stability of structure and flexibility of design. The history of fiber arts will also be addressed during this class.
Prerequisite: None

FIGURE DRAWING
This one-period course is open to all students but is designed for students who have developed their basic drawing skills. The course is set up to help develop students’ drawing mechanics while honing their ability to draw the human figure from observation. The elements of art, varied drawing approaches and composition are examined in relationship to lines, masses and volumes of the human form. Human anatomy and body mechanics will also be discussed. This is recommended as a course to accompany major areas of study such as painting, drawing, sculpture and printmaking.
Prerequisite: None

METALS
This one-period course is open to all students and will provide both introductory and more challenging experiences for students. The course will cover the basic techniques and principles of metalsmithing and students will investigate cold connections and a variety of soldering techniques. During the course, students will explore the properties of metal through a series of short assignments, and, as the class progresses, more individual projects will be introduced. Emphasis will be placed on design through the understanding of materials and creative problem solving. The history of metalsmithing will be covered.
Prerequisite: None

METALS STUDIO
This two-period class will cover more advanced techniques in metalsmithing. Through a series of short assignments, students quickly learn properties of metal and how to work with it. As the class progresses, students will take on more individual projects while learning about processes such as form, casting, and a variety of fabrication techniques. The history of metalsmithing is also covered during the course. Emphasis will be placed on design through the understanding of materials and creative problem solving.
Prerequisite: None

PAINTING
This one-period course is open to all students and will provide both introductory and more challenging experiences for students. The class is geared to individual needs and all levels of experience. A variety of painting media will be explored. Assignments include extensive work with the expressive qualities of painting, including: color, space, structure and composition. Frequent critiques, art history discussions and guest artists support studio work.
Prerequisite: None

PAINTING STUDIO
This two-period course is more in-depth than the one-period painting elective but is still designed to individual needs and all levels of experience. A variety of painting media and techniques will be investigated and students will explore using the medium for individual expressive purposes. Assignments include extensive work with the expressive qualities of painting, including: color, illusionistic space and structure and composition. Frequent critiques, art history discussions and guest artists support studio work.
Prerequisite: Visual Arts major. Established drawing skills recommended.

PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO
This is a two-period introductory course that will provide a variety of basic and more challenging experiences. While the course is focused on basic darkroom photography, other more expressive approaches will also be explored. Students will gain experience, develop technical skills, and increase their knowledge of the medium of photography. Coursework covers the mechanics of the 35mm camera, black and white film processing, black and white printing, and basic lighting. The class will include demonstrations of equipment and processes, lectures and critiques.
Prerequisite: None
Equipment required: Students must bring their own 35mm SLR film camera with manual controls.

SCULPTURE STUDIO
This is a two-period elective that introduces the student to a variety of three-dimensional processes. Using a variety of techniques and materials, students design and fabricate projects that are reflective of their visual investigation of ideas through sculptural form. The course projects will expose students to methods of constructing, modeling, casting and carving and include a wide range of natural and synthetic materials such as: clay, plaster, wood and metal. The history of sculpture will also be covered in this class.
Prerequisite: None