Orchestra & Wind Ensemble Summer Program for High School Students


Why Take Orchestra & Wind Ensemble

Experience the joy of performing in an internationally recognized student ensemble this summer by tackling professional-level repertoire under the direction of world-renowned conductors. Grow as a musician and artist with a group of outstanding fellow musicians from all over the world.

What You'll Learn

In this program, you will have the chance to train with professional conductors and other talented students in one of three ensembles.

Admission into our summer program is competitive, which means that you'll be surrounded and supported by young musicians who are equally passionate and driven. Our accomplished faculty bring real-life expertise and laser-focused attention to address your challenges and help you to break through to the next level. You'll be challenged, stimulated, and best of all, have fun getting better at doing what you love.

As an orchestra or wind ensemble student, you will participate in:

  • Large ensemble rehearsal, leading to six unique public performances throughout the summer
  • Chamber music class which includes small ensemble rehearsal and coaching, student performances, special topics, master classes, and faculty performances
  • Weekly private lessons with one of our outstanding faculty members, many of whom hold advanced degrees in music, teach at the college level, and/or perform in professional symphony orchestras
  • Studio classes
  • Musician Artistry (music theory and literature, aural skills, improvisation)

Audition Requirements

Apply

Program Snapshot
Program Length
6 weeks
Program Dates
  • June 22, 2025 to August 3, 2025
Tuition
$10,180
Age Range
High School (Grades 9-12)
Deadline
  • January 15, 2025

Meet the Conductors

Our summer Orchestra & Wind Ensemble conductors hail from some of the most prestigious orchestras and conservatories in the world. They serve as mentors, coaches, and inspirations to our talented students—bringing their real-world experience to camp every summer.

Please note the gallery may showcase previous conductors.

All Faculty

Cristian Macelaru

Cristian Măcelaru

Music Director Designate, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

Distinguished Visiting Artist, Shepherd School of Music at Rice University

Music Director, Orchestre National de France

Artistic Director and Principal Conductor, World Youth Symphony Orchestra

Jader Bignamini

Jader Bignamini

Detroit Symphony Orchestra,
World Youth Symphony Orchestra

JoAnn Falletta

JoAnn Falletta

Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra,
World Youth Symphony Orchestra

Delyana Lazarova

Delyana Lazarova

Winner of the 2020 James Conlon Conducting Prize,
World Youth Symphony Orchestra

Christian Reif

Christian Reif

Gävle Symphony Orchestra,
World Youth Symphony Orchestra

Darwin Aquino headshot 400x600

Darwin Aquino

St. Louis Philharmonic Orchestra,
Interlochen Philharmonic

Creston Herron

Creston Herron

University of Kansas; Coordinator of Orchestras

Chelsea Tipton

Chelsea Tipton, II

Symphony of Southeast Texas,
Interlochen Philharmonic

Steven D. Davis

Steven D. Davis

University of Missouri-Kansas City,
World Youth Wind Symphony

Patricia Cornett

Patricia Cornett, D.M.A.

Director of Bands, Temple University;
Conductor, World Youth Wind Symphony

The Rep

The Orchestra & Wind Ensemble repertoire is an eclectic curation of classical and contemporary pieces from an esteemed selection of diverse composers.

VIEW REPERTOIRE

An orchestra performing on stage

Explore Ensembles

World Youth Symphony Orchestra

Led by world-renowned conductors, WYSO plays advanced repertoire chosen from traditional and contemporary masterpieces in this challenging and inspiring orchestral experience.

World Youth Wind Symphony

Push the boundaries of your talent and be exposed to diverse, professional-level repertoire, under the leadership of renowned conductors and section coaches.

Interlochen Philharmonic

Focus on traditional and contemporary repertoire in a challenging orchestra ensemble that will help you further develop your advanced skills.

Interlochen is an amazing environment. My favorite part is making music with my peers and connecting with my teachers. It's a life changing experience, and I'll never forget it.

Stanley, Orchestra & Wind Ensemble

A parent’s perspective: A road map for the future

Arts Camp parent Jack shares why other families “can’t go wrong” by sending their children to Interlochen—from being immersed in an idyllic environment to finding a “road map” for pursuing a career in the arts.

Program Highlights

Dedicated Scholarships

We have two dedicated scholarships for our orchestra and wind ensemble summer camp students: the Fennel Scholars program and the Interlochen Orchestral Scholars program. Both reward up to a full-tuition scholarship. Students may also be eligible for other need-based and merit-based financial aid.

Concerto Competition & Honors Recital

Interlochen Arts Camp offers a Concerto Competition for the High School and Intermediate Divisions, as well as an Honors Recital Competition for the Junior Division.

Venues & Facilities

In addition to our state-of-the-art rehearsal space inside The Music Center, performance venues include the 3,900-seat Kresge Auditorium, the 950-seat Corson Auditorium, the open-air historic Interlochen Bowl, and the beautiful Dendrinos Chapel and Recital Hall.

Performance Opportunities

Each large ensemble performs multiple concerts throughout the summer. There are also numerous chamber music and solo recitals. 

Additional Opportunities

Interlochen is also home to the Arts Academy boarding high school, which offers six music programs for students in grades 9-12, as well as a post-graduate year.

Dedicated to the dream: Orchestra and Wind Symphony at Interlochen Arts Camp

Listen in as Interlochen Arts Camp’s students, faculty, and Valade Concertmasters offer a behind-the-scenes look at Interlochen’s instrumental ensembles and share why the Orchestra and Wind Symphony program is one of the nation’s finest summer intensives for high school musicians.

Past Guest Artists

  • Jeanne Baxtresser, (former) Principal Flute, New York Philharmonic; (former) Instructor of Flute, The Juilliard School
  • Keith Buncke, Principal Bassoon, Chicago Symphony Orchestra
  • Mei-Ann Chen, Principal Conductor of Recreation - Grosses Orchester Graz at Styriarte
  • Sarah Chang, Violinist
  • Elaine Douvas, Principal Oboe, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra; Instructor of Oboe, The Juilliard School
  • Carol Jantsch, Principal Tuba, Philadelphia Orchestra
  • Rob Knopper, Principal Percussion, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
  • Anthony McGill, Principal Clarinet, New York Philharmonic
  • Midori, Violinist
  • Erik Nielsen, Chief Conductor - Bilbao Symphony Orchestra
  • Leelanee Sterrett, Horn, New York Philharmonic

Dive deeper into Interlochen Arts Camp with a free digital viewbook

Camp 2025 Viewbook Graphic

In our free informational booklet, you'll learn more about: 

  • Each of our seven arts areas 
  • Various programs 
  • Renowned faculty 
  • A day in the life of a student 
  • How to apply and financial aid information 
  • And more