Applications are still open for Arts Camp and Arts Academy. Programs fill quickly—submit your app today!

Composition Core Curriculum

The composition curriculum at Interlochen is excellent preparation for those who wish to major in composition in college. The individualized program encourages students to cultivate their own unique and creative expression, while becoming familiar with important trends in 20th and 21st century music.

For information on graduation requirements and academic curriculum, please visit Academy Academics.

Required Courses: Classical Composition Majors

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.

Performing Ensembles 

The Music Division offers a variety of opportunities for training in ensemble performance.  A rigorous rehearsal sequence coupled with frequent performances provides growth in ensemble skills and in the ability to sustain the challenges of intensive study and performance. Students have the opportunity to demonstrate improvement and achieve recognition by auditioning for positions in the large ensembles.  

The IAA Orchestra performs major pieces of the symphonic repertoire, full staged ballets, concerti, new music and classic as well, 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 in big band instrumentation, 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. 

Sample Classical Composition Curriculum for a 4-Year Student

Semester I

Required Courses
Private Lesson: Composition / MUS045
Private Lesson: Instrument OR Class Piano / MUS0XX / MUS203
Studio / MUS099
Performing Ensemble (Orchestra, Wind Symphony, Jazz Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, or Chamber Music) / MUSXXX

Elective Courses
Choir / MUS055
Piano Lesson (30-minute) / MUS074

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


Semester II

Required Courses
Private Lesson: Composition / MUS046
Private Lesson: Instrument OR Class Piano / MUS0XX / MUS204
Studio / MUS100
Performing Ensemble (Orchestra, Wind Symphony, Jazz Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, or Chamber Music) / MUSXXX

Elective Courses
Choir / MUS056
Piano Lesson (30 minute) / MUS075
Composition Class / MUS214

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


Semester III

Required Courses
Private Lesson: Composition / MUS045
Private Lesson: Instrument OR Class Piano / MUS0XX / MUS203
Studio / MUS099
Music Theory / MUS101
Performing Ensemble (Orchestra, Wind Symphony, Jazz Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, or Chamber Music) / MUSXXX

Elective Courses
Choir / MUS055
Piano Lesson (30-minute) / MUS074
Introduction to Audio Technology and Production / PROD091
Class Piano / MUS203

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


Semester IV

Required Courses
Private Lesson: Composition / MUS046
Private Lesson: Instrument OR Class Piano / MUS0XX / MUS204
Studio / MUS100
Performing Ensemble (Orchestra, Wind Symphony, Jazz Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, or Chamber Music) / MUSXXX
Music Theory / MUS104

Elective Courses
Choir / MUS056
Piano Lesson (30 minute) / MUS075
Class Piano / MUS204

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


Semester V

Required Courses
Private Lesson: Composition / MUS045
Private Lesson: Instrument OR Class Piano / MUS0XX / MUS203
Studio / MUS099
Performing Ensemble (Orchestra, Wind Symphony, Jazz Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, or Chamber Music) / MUSXXX
Music Theory / MUS215

Elective Courses
Choir / MUS055
Piano Lesson (30-minute) / MUS074
Introduction to Audio Technology and Production / PROD091
Music Business / MUS109
Piano Technology / MUS131
Class Piano / MUS203
Jazz History / MUS209
Jazz Improvisation I / MUS307

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


Semester VI

Required Courses
Private Lesson: Composition / MUS046
Private Lesson: Instrument OR Class Piano / MUS0XX / MUS204
Studio / MUS100
Performing Ensemble (Orchestra, Wind Symphony, Jazz Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, or Chamber Music) / MUSXXX
Music Theory / MUS310

Elective Courses
Choir / MUS056
Piano Lesson (30 minute) / MUS075
Introduction to Audio Technology and Production / PROD091
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: Composition / MUS045
Private Lesson: Instrument OR Class Piano / MUS0XX / MUS203
Studio / MUS099
Performing Ensemble (Orchestra, Wind Symphony, Jazz Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, or Chamber Music) / MUSXXX
Advanced Theory / MUS413

Elective Courses
Choir / MUS055
Chamber Singers / MUS057
Brass Ensemble / MUS065
Chamber Music / MUS069
Piano Lesson (30-minute) / MUS074
Introduction to Audio Technology and Production / PROD091
Music Business / MUS109
Piano Technology / MUS131
Class Piano / MUS203
Jazz History / MUS209
Jazz Improvisation I or II / MUSXXX
Conducting / MUS407

Sample Academic Courses
Precalculus; Ecology; English IV


Semester VIII

Required Courses
Private Lesson: Composition / MUS046
Private Lesson: Instrument OR Class Piano / MUS0XX / MUS204
Studio / MUS100
Performing Ensemble (Orchestra, Wind Symphony, Jazz Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, or Chamber Music) / MUSXXX
Super Theory / MUS502

Elective Courses
Choir / MUS056
Chamber Singers / MUS057
Brass Ensemble / MUS065
Chamber Music / MUS070
Piano Lesson (30 minute) / MUS075
Introduction to Audio Technology and Production / PROD091
Class Piano / MUS204
Jazz History / MUS210
Composition Class / MUS214
Jazz Improvisation I or II / MUSXXX
Conducting / MUS408

Sample Academic Courses 
Precalculus; Ecology; English IV