Detroit Symphony Orchestra to join Interlochen Online for virtual Arts Camp
DSO musicians will mentor young Interlochen artists through virtual orchestral repertoire workshops and more as part of the newly launched Interlochen Online.
The Detroit Symphony Orchestra's association with Interlochen dates back to 1926. The relationship flourished over the decades with numerous summer performances and master classes by the DSO on the campus of Interlochen Center for the Arts.
DSO Principal Bassoonist Robert Williams works with an Interlochen student. Credit: Sarah Smarch
Building on the long and storied history between Interlochen Center for the Arts and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, DSO musicians will work closely with Interlochen students this summer as part of Interlochen Online’s virtual Arts Camp, which will take place from June 28 to July 19, 2020.
“We are thrilled that the DSO will join us for Interlochen Online this summer,” said Trey Devey, President of Interlochen Center for the Arts. “This is an extraordinary opportunity for young artists to make music with and learn from world-class musicians.”
“When we learned of Interlochen’s plans for a virtual Arts Camp, we felt an immediate groundswell of support coming from our musicians and staff to get involved and help out,” said Anne Parsons, DSO President and CEO. “Thanks to the innovative spirit of cooperation between our organizations, so many young people will be able to benefit from high-quality, music-based learning experiences this summer, and I want to especially thank our wonderful DSO musicians for stepping forward so swiftly and completely.”
“The DSO musicians were thrilled to renew our relationship with Interlochen last July, and we’re heartbroken that we aren’t able to return in person this summer,” said Jeremy Epp, DSO Principal Timpani. “We remain committed to fostering the bonds between our two institutions and look forward to collaborating with Interlochen students through streamed performances, classes, and other projects. Many DSO members found inspiration in the experiences they had while students at Interlochen, and we are excited to again have the opportunity to nurture a new generation of performers.”
To nurture young artists during this unprecedented era of social distancing, while sustaining a cherished tradition, the 93rd season of Interlochen’s renowned multidisciplinary summer arts program will take place exclusively online. Over the course of the three-week virtual camp program, DSO musicians will work closely with Interlochen campers in a variety of formats. Each week, DSO musicians will lead orchestral repertoire workshops for each instrument with intermediate and high school students. These workshops will also touch on practical tips for performance careers, such as practice habits and audition preparation.
DSO musicians will also record select movements of chamber music works for small ensembles that students can listen to and practice with as they study specific repertoire. The partnership will also include virtual recitals by DSO musicians and Interlochen faculty, and an arts leadership roundtable in which DSO management and education personnel will join leaders from Interlochen for a discussion with students about creating a life in the arts.
The DSO’s association with Interlochen dates back to 1926, when Detroit’s Orchestra Hall hosted the National High School Honors Orchestra, the ensemble that evolved two years later into the founding orchestra of Interlochen Arts Camp. The relationship flourished over the decades with numerous summer performances and master classes by the DSO on the campus of Interlochen Center for the Arts. Today, 21 members of the DSO are alumni of Interlochen Arts Camp or Interlochen Arts Academy.
Like Interlochen’s traditional Arts Camp, the online camp will feature one-of-a-kind master classes, seminars, and coaching led by world-class artists and arts leaders; private arts instruction as well as collaboration with peers; virtual performances, exhibitions, screenings, and readings by students and faculty; daily “virtual cabin” social activities; and synchronous Camp-wide convenings. Programs will be offered in acting, musical theatre, theatre design and production, creative writing, visual arts, dance, filmmaking, classical music performance and composition, music production and engineering, songwriting, jazz performance and improvisation, and general arts for students in grades 2-12.
Additional distinguished guest musicians who will be part of Interlochen Online this summer include Cristian Măcelaru, the inaugural Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of Interlochen’s World Youth Symphony Orchestra, Chief Conductor of the WDR Sinfonieorchester, and Music Director Designate of the Orchestre National de France; Nicola Benedetti, GRAMMY® Award-winning violinist and education advocate; Martin Chalifour, Concertmaster of the Los Angeles Philharmonic; Ray Chen, acclaimed Australian classical violinist; and Wynton Marsalis, internationally acclaimed jazz musician, composer, bandleader, and educator.
To learn more about and apply to Interlochen Online’s camp programs, visit interlochen.org/online.
About the DSO
The most accessible orchestra on the planet, the acclaimed Detroit Symphony Orchestra is known for trailblazing performances, collaborations with the world’s foremost musical artists, and a deep connection to its city. In January 2020, Italian conductor Jader Bignamini was named the DSO’s next music director to commence with the 2020-2021 season. Making its home at historic Orchestra Hall within the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center, the DSO offers a performance schedule that features Classical, PNC Pops, Paradise Jazz, William Davidson Neighborhood Concerts, and Young People’s Family Concert series. A dedication to broadcast innovation began in 1922, when the DSO became the first orchestra in the world to present a radio broadcast and continues today with the free Live from Orchestra Hall webcast series, which also reaches tens of thousands of children with the Classroom Edition expansion.
A leader in digital content and engagement, the DSO reaches audiences around the world with DSO Replay, its online archive of past webcasts, which the orchestra made free for all viewers in early March. In addition, the DSO hosts Watch Parties of archived performances on Facebook Live, including programs from its Educational Concert Series for students, where viewers can comment in real time and engage with DSO musicians and guest artists. The orchestra is also continuing to engage with students enrolled in its Civic Youth Ensembles, through online learning with youth ensemble directors and DSO Musicians. Learn more at dso.org/keepplaying. For more, visit dso.org.
About Interlochen Center for the Arts
A global destination for artists and arts enthusiasts, Interlochen Center for the Arts comprises Interlochen Arts Camp, a world-class multidisciplinary summer arts program; Interlochen Arts Academy, the nation’s premier fine arts boarding high school; Interlochen Presents, a producer of more than 600 annual performances by celebrated guest artists, Interlochen students, and faculty; Interlochen Public Radio, two listener-supported, 24-hour public radio stations (classical music and news); and Interlochen College of Creative Arts, a convener for lifelong arts education. Since 1928, Interlochen has served a mission to ignite and propel a lifelong passion for the arts. For more information, visit interlochen.org.
