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Interlochen Arts Academy Orchestra wins The American Prize

Interlochen Arts Academy has recently been awarded The American Prize for Orchestral Performance for Arts High Schools.

The 2014-15 Interlochen Arts Academy Orchestra

Interlochen Arts Academy has recently been awarded The American Prize for Orchestral Performance for Arts High Schools.

Interlochen’s performance was measured against such prestigious national schools as Idyllwild Arts Academy and Youth Performing Arts School Philharmonia, who received second- and third-place recognition, respectively.

"Interlochen Arts Academy is honored to be awarded with this prestigious national prize,” says Interlochen President Jeffrey Kimpton. “This award, paired with our students’ upcoming performance in the NY Phil Biennial, is a testament to the exceptional music program Interlochen offers."

The American Prize is a series of nonprofit national competitions in the performing arts providing cash awards, professional adjudication and regional, national and international recognition. Each year since 2009, The American Prize has rewarded the best recorded performances by individual artists and ensembles in the United States at the professional, community/amateur, college, university, church and school levels.

The American Prize’s chief judge is award-winning composer, playwright, actor and arts advocate David Katz. Prior, Katz was the founder and for 12 years chief judge of the Friedrich Schorr Memorial Performance Prize in Voice international competition. Katz is joined each year by a panel of national judges including professional, community and faith-based musicians and educators, selected for their interest and expertise.

The NY Phil Biennial partnership will allow Interlochen Arts Academy and Interlochen Arts Camp students to work directly with professional symphony musicians through residencies at Interlochen and in New York City. The Academy Orchestra will also perform in the 2016 NY Phil Biennial.