Overview

The Interlochen Summer High School Ensembles are the foremost training program in the world for young musicians. World-renowned conductors, teachers and guest artists create a program that emphasizes quality, personal growth, and the joy of playing with a group of superb musicians.

Ensembles

For any high school ensemble you can expect:

• Three hours of daily rehearsal including daily sectionals.
• Two hours of small ensemble or chamber music each day. Wind and percussion players can satisfy this requirement in traditional chamber music groups or jazz band; interested students should choose jazz band as an elective on their application.
• Weekly private lessons and regular scheduled practice time.
• Electives provide a well-rounded experience.

High School Orchestras

The World Youth Symphony Orchestra (listen to .mp3 audio from the Summer 2007 season) and the Interlochen Philharmonic are the country’s leading orchestral experiences for advanced high school students. The faculty is made up of preeminent instructors who have extensive experience with major symphony orchestras. Repertoire is chosen from traditional and contemporary masterpieces as well as other influential genres (world music, etc.). Under the direction of Jung Ho Pak, the orchestra programs regularly feature some of the greatest artists in the world.

High School Wind Ensembles

The World Youth Wind Symphony and the Interlochen Symphony Band are the most advanced high school summer wind band experiences available in the country. Ensemble rehearsals stress the technical, expressive and musical development of the individual within a collaborative setting.

Guided by Music Director Michael Kaufman, the World Youth Wind Symphony and Interlochen Symphony Band have performed under the baton of many internationally renowned conductors, composers and artists including Frank Ticheli, Gary Green, Michael Haithcock, Karel Husa, H. Robert Reynolds, John Whitwell and Jerry Junkin. Alumni of the Wind Ensembles Program have attended virtually every major university school of music and conservatory and currently enjoy careers as professional musicians around the globe.

Audition Information

String, wind and percussion applicants must submit audition materials with their application for admission. Click here for audition repertoire. All students will audition again during registration at the beginning of Camp and will be placed into a specific ensemble group based on audition results.

Winds: Student placement in either wind or orchestral ensembles will be determined based upon the audition at the time of application. During registration students will audition for placement within their assigned ensemble.

Strings: Students will be placed in an orchestra based on the results of auditions during registration.

Percussion: Students will be expected to play in both wind and orchestral ensembles. During registration, placement auditions will be held. Percussionists do not have elective classes as part of their curriculum.

Audition Requirements

The audition process is the same for orchestra and wind ensembles. Applicants should complete the following steps:

• Choose one movement from a piece listed in the repertoire (click here for audition repertoire) or choose a piece of comparable difficulty. Selections of contrasting style and piano accompaniment when appropriate are recommended. Percussionists should demonstrate skills on snare drum, mallet instruments and timpani.
• Choose one movement from an additional piece
• Prepare one major and one minor scale
• Record all pieces and scales on a CD or DVD. Standard (type II) audio cassette - while not preferred - will be accepted.
• Submit the audition and label the recording and its casing with the applicant’s full name and presented repertoire. If the applicant wishes to be considered for an Emerson Scholarship, indicate "Emerson Applicant" in the recording.

Concerto Competition

Interlochen offers a separate concerto competition HS instrumentalists and vocalists. The competition is highly competitive and only the most advanced students should enter. Winners will perform with one of the HS orchestras or wind ensembles. The preliminary round for the HS concerto competition is by VHS/DVD audition prior to the opening of camp (deadline May 1, 2008); those accepted into the finals will perform during the first week of camp (HS competition finals are on June 27th). Click here to download the registration form (Adobe PDF).

Violinist Joshua Bell performing with the World Youth Symphony Orchestra
July 22, 2007