Interlochen and Detroit Symphony Orchestra celebrate nearly a century of musical collaboration
World-class musicians from the DSO to mentor young artists and perform two spectacular concerts under the baton of Jader Bignamini.
A Detroit Symphony Orchestra musician leads a clarinet master class at Interlochen's Dendrinos Chapel and Recital Hall.
As Interlochen Arts Camp embarks on its 98th season, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) returns for a residency that continues a rich tradition of mentorship and artistic excellence. This year’s collaboration will feature DSO musicians leading master classes, rehearsing side by side with students, and performing two highly anticipated concerts under the direction of acclaimed Music Director Jader Bignamini.
"Interlochen and the DSO share a deep commitment to nurturing the next generation of musicians,” said Interlochen Center for the Arts President Trey Devey. “It is an incredible privilege to welcome these esteemed artists to our campus, where they inspire and guide young musicians toward their full potential.”
“The partnership between the DSO and Interlochen is built on a shared passion for musical education and performance,” said DSO President and CEO Erik Rönmark. “Each summer, our musicians are energized by the talent and dedication of the students, and we are proud to play a role in shaping their artistic journeys.”
The DSO will take the stage at Interlochen’s renowned Kresge Auditorium on Saturday, July 19, as part of the 2025 Interlochen Arts Festival. This exciting program will feature Overture to Omar by Rhiannon Giddens and Michael Abels; Paul Dukas’ "The Sorcerer’s Apprentice"; and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, Op. 35. Tickets for this event will be available Friday, April 11 at 10 a.m. at interlochen.org/tickets.
Throughout the weekend, DSO musicians will engage with students through master classes and side-by-side rehearsals. On Sunday, July 20, these collaborative efforts will culminate in a special performance with the World Youth Symphony Orchestra, featuring George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess: A Symphonic Picture and Florence Price’s Symphony No. 3 in C Minor, conducted by Bignamini.
“For young musicians at Interlochen, the chance to learn directly from world-class DSO musicians is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that shapes their artistic journeys in profound ways,” said Devey.
This summer’s residency marks the 99th year of collaboration between Interlochen and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, a relationship that dates back to 1926 when the National High School Orchestra—Interlochen’s founding ensemble—performed at Orchestra Hall in Detroit. Over the decades, DSO musicians—many who attended Interlochen themselves—and conductors have played a pivotal role in the artistic education of Interlochen students. Since 2019, the DSO’s annual residencies have featured public performances, master classes, and side-by-side concerts, deepening the bond between these two storied institutions.
Interlochen Arts Camp 2025 is currently accepting applications, with limited availability remaining. Prospective students are encouraged to apply at interlochen.org/apply.
