Composition Core Curriculum

The student and the instructor seek to develop short-term and long-term goals. The focus in the course is on the student’s ability to combine the elements of music (melody, harmony, texture, etc.) into cohesive and performable works. Students demonstrate their progress by completing pieces of high quality and by having those pieces performed. Listening assignments, score study assignments, discussion of college choices, portfolio preparation and career goals, may augment the scope of the lesson.

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.

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. 

Class piano addresses score reading fluency, healthy keyboard technique, ear training, and exploration of piano repertoire. This course is paced for non-piano majors who already have a basic understanding of the grand staff, the layout of the keyboard, and have successfully completed the Theory I course.  The concepts covered in this course will best serve students in preparation for group piano courses required at the college undergraduate level.  

The composition studio and instructor focus on topics of interest to all student composers.  Projects that involve the group are created and developed; masterclasses with guests composers and collaborative projects with other disciplines.

Music theory classes at Interlochen offer instruction in musicianship skills essential for the serious music student. The class objectives are to provide complete and thorough training in all basic musicianship skills; to offer advanced, college-level theory for the highly motivated student; and to stimulate and encourage exploration of the creative process through music creation (classical) and arranging (contemporary). 

The IAA Orchestra performs major pieces of the symphonic repertoire, full staged ballets, concerti, new and classic music, and performs with choir and other ensembles. The Orchestra presents numerous concerts each year and frequently collaborates with renowned guest artists and conductors. Woodwind, brass and percussion students are placed into either Orchestra or Wind Symphony based on preliminary auditions. 

The IAA Wind Symphony provides a wide variety of performance experiences. Rehearsals offer the opportunity to develop and refine fundamental playing technique and ensemble skills.  The Wind Symphony presents multiple concerts annually of original compositions, representative transcriptions, and works for smaller ensembles. Placement within the ensemble is determined by audition with the studio faculty. 

Academy Choir is a requirement for all Voice majors and is open to all students. The choir participates in numerous concerts during the year, performing works from a diverse range of styles, time periods and composers.

This select ensemble is one of the most popular concert groups on the campus. The twenty-piece ensemble studies and performs the music of the foremost big band composers, past and present. Students must audition for placement in the Jazz Ensemble.

This ensemble focuses on the development of ensemble skills and brass pedagogy through rigorous rehearsal and performance of major brass ensemble compositions. The ensemble skills include individualism, group participation, intonation, style, leadership, communication, and professional commitment and responsibility. 

This ensemble performs music from the baroque period through the twentieth century.  Melodic and non-melodic instruments are stressed equally.

Chamber music is designed to provide students with a performance opportunity in small ensemble repertoire. Various ensembles are formed using woodwind, brass, string, and piano students. These ensembles may include:  woodwind quintet, clarinet quartet, flute quartet, brass quintets, string quartets, and other various ensembles based on the repertoire and available players.