Guitar Core Curriculum

At Interlochen, we understand the ways guitarists work in today’s complex professional musical communities. Our instrument is versatile and offers us the opportunity to work in a variety of situations while developing a personal sound. We believe that our diverse guitar community lays the foundation for students to move forward in their careers and lifelong study. Our faculty are experts and bring decades of professional experience and dedication to teaching their curricula.

Guitar majors learn through a combination of small and large ensemble experiences, studio classes, music theory classes, and private lessons tailored to your individual needs. Together with this instruction, our clinics, master classes, sessions, and performance venues offer students a myriad of playing opportunities.

Required Courses: Classical Guitar Majors

Guitar ensemble meets as a large group and in smaller settings. The literature includes compositions written for guitar ensembles and arrangements of pieces originally written for other settings, ranging from solo instruments such as piano to full orchestras. The ensemble brings individual skills to bear effectively on a collaborative effort, resulting in beauty of execution and expression along with pride for the members in the ability to communicate as one with an audience.

The Private Lesson is individualized and tailored to the level, background, and needs of each student. It stresses a solid foundation in technical skills and covers a wide range of literature. Private study includes studio classes which provide students an opportunity to perform for their peers in an informal setting.

This course is an extension of private lessons. It addresses many of the same concepts, but in a group setting. It is designed to be flexible to meet the varying levels and needs of students.

Sample Guitar Curriculum for a 4-Year Student

Semester I

Required Courses
Private Lesson: Guitar / MUS009-010
Studio / MUS099
Guitar Ensemble / MUS063-064

Elective Courses
Choir / MUS055
Composition Class / MUS213

Sample Academic Courses
Algebra I; Biology; English I; French I

Semester II

Required Courses
Private Lesson: Guitar / MUS009-010
Studio / MUS099
Guitar Ensemble / MUS063-064

Elective Courses
Choir / MUS056
Chamber Music / MUS070
Composition Class / MUS214

Sample Academic Courses
Algebra I; Biology; English I; French I

Semester III

Required Courses
Private Lesson: Guitar / MUS009-010
Guitar Ensemble / MUS063-064
Studio / MUS099
Music Theory / MUS101

Elective Courses
Choir / MUS055
Chamber Music / MUS069
Introduction to Audio Technology and Production / MPE091
Class Piano / MUS203
Composition Class / MUS213

Sample Academic Courses
Geometry; World History; English II; French II

Semester IV

Required Courses
Private Lesson: Guitar / MUS009-010
Guitar Ensemble / MUS063-064
Studio / MUS099
Music Theory / MUS101

Elective Courses
Choir / MUS056
Chamber Music / MUS070
Class Piano / MUS204
Composition Class / MUS214

Sample Academic Courses
Geometry; World History; English II; French II

Semester V

Required Courses
Private Lesson: Guitar / MUS009-010
Studio / MUS099
Guitar Ensemble / MUS063-064
Music Theory / MUS215

Elective Courses
Choir / MUS055
Chamber Singers / MUS057
Chamber Music / MUS069
Introduction to Audio Technology and Production / MPE091
Music Business / MUS109
Class Piano / MUS203
Jazz History / MUS209
Composition Class / MUS213
Jazz Improvisation I / MUS307

Sample Academic Courses
Algebra II; U.S. History; English III; Chemistry

Semester VI

Required Courses
Private Lesson: Guitar / MUS009-010
Studio / MUS100
Guitar Ensemble / MUS063-064
Music Theory / MUS310

Elective Courses
Choir / MUS056
Chamber Singers / MUS057
Chamber Music / MUS070
Introduction to Audio Technology and Production / MPE091
Class Piano / MUS204
Jazz History / MUS210
Composition Class / MUS214
Jazz Improvisation I / MUS306

Sample Academic Courses
Algebra II; U.S. History; English III; Chemistry

Semester VII

Required Courses
Private Lesson: Guitar / MUS063-064
Studio / MUS099
Guitar Ensemble / MUS063

Sample Academic Courses
Precalculus; Ecology; English IV

Semester VIII

Required Courses
Private Lesson: Guitar / MUS063-064
Studio / MUS100
Guitar Ensemble / MUS064