High School Division Electives
Interlochen Arts Camp offers elective classes that provide opportunities for enrichment and exploration in a variety of art forms. The number of elective options available to each student is dependent on program schedule and electives are not available for some programs.
Students will have an opportunity to indicate their preferred electives after they have applied and been accepted.
Elective classes may include:
CREATIVE WRITING
This course will offer high school students an opportunity to explore and amplify their creative writing skills. Throughout the session, students can expect a combination of imaginative writing exercises, short reading activities, informal discussion and free writing time. Class activities will range from poetry to fiction to dramatic writing. Laptop computers are not used for this elective.
Prerequisite: None
GENERAL DANCE
Classes explore dance as an art form and are open to experienced and inexperienced students. This class contains components of ballet, modern and jazz. A complete listing of required dance attire and supplies will be included in the student handbook and posted online. All dance students are expected to be well groomed; long hair must be worn up and off the neck. Pointe work is not a component of this course.
Prerequisite: None
SURVEY OF FILM
This course will offer students an opportunity to explore the history of the art of film - from its birth to its modern existence as a staple of entertainment. Throughout the session, students can expect a combination of film screenings, critical discussions of innovative films and groundbreaking filmmakers, and an introduction to tools of the trade.
Prerequisite: None
20th CENTURY MUSIC
Students will explore concepts of melody, rhythm and harmony in music through careful examination of scores, recordings and in-class performances. Music supplies may cost up to $20.
Prerequisite: Music Theory or equivalent experience
COMPOSITION (BEGINNING)
This class is designed for students who have little or no experience in music composition. Students will be introduced to basic compositional procedures, including building motives and melodies, textures, form, harmonic languages, scales/modes, accompaniment styles, and text setting, as well as notation skills. Interest and skills will determine the number of instruments used in individual projects. Students are expected to provide personal headphones, pencils, block eraser, ruler, and staff paper; class work is done at electronic keyboards with pencils and staff paper.
Prerequisite: Basic knowledge of music theory and notation; three or more years of private study of major instrument.
COMPOSITION (ADVANCED)
For students who have some experience notating their musical ideas and are ready to incorporate new skills and techniques in a project-oriented structure. Writing for in-class instruments and voices is emphasized, as well as in-class readings and performances. May be repeated, as specific topics will change each summer. Students may bring any completed projects for feedback. Students provide personal headphones, pencils, block eraser, ruler, and staff paper; class work is done at electronic keyboards with pencils and staff paper.
Prerequisite: Basic knowledge of music theory and notation, must submit manuscript for acceptance in class prior to enrollment. Manuscripts should be sent prior to the beginning of camp.
CHOIR
Students will study and perform a selected vocal repertoire. Emphasis is placed on articulation, tone quality, timbre, and music reading. All students enrolled in the choir elective will perform in the choir concerts.
Prerequisite: None
COLLEGE PREP MUSIC THEORY
Instructors will take a comprehensive approach to music theory, including the study of music’s building blocks (melody, rhythm, harmony, form, timbre) as well as the development of analytical, listening, reading and creative skills. Students will be placed into one of three levels of study based on experience and level of preparation. Music supplies may cost up to $20.
Prerequisite: None
COMPUTER MUSIC
This course is an introduction to synthesizers and computer music. Students will use Yamaha digital keyboards and Macintosh computers to explore the fundamentals of synthesis with emphasis on creative projects and sound design.
Prerequisite: Basic music reading skills. Keyboard skills are helpful, but not necessary.
JAZZ BAND
Participants in the jazz band focus on stylistic interpretation, improvisation, group interaction and sight-reading skills. Students participating in other ensembles may audition for the Jazz band, which satisfies the chamber music requirement. The Jazz band performs in “Jazz Fest” three times during the course of the summer.
Prerequisite: Audition required at the beginning of camp
JAZZ PIANO (BEGINNING)
This class is an introduction to the jazz style of piano playing. Students will learn jazz chords, voicing, and improvisation.
Prerequisite: Piano and Organ majors only.
MUSIC LITERATURE
The course presents a review of representative styles, forms, genres and composers in historical context ranging from Medieval through contemporary periods. Emphasis is placed upon structured listening and elementary analytical techniques. Music supplies may cost up to $20.
Prerequisite: None
ORCHESTRATION
Students will study the principles of instrumentation through listening, analysis of important literature and preparation of scores for various ensembles for in-class readings. Music supplies may cost up to $20.
Prerequisite: Music Theory or equivalent experience
ORGAN (BEGINNING)
A beginning class in the fundamentals of organ-playing.
Prerequisite: Three years or more of piano study and ability to play Bach Two-part Inventions and a Clementi Sonatina.
PIANO CLASS (BEGINNING) FOR VOICE STUDENTS
This class builds a foundation for voice students by presenting the fundamentals of piano and music. Focus is on sight-reading, repertoire for the beginner, rhythmic notation, two-handed note reading with both clefs, and interpretation.
Prerequisite: Choral and Operetta majors only.
PIANO ENSEMBLES
Piano Ensemble provides opportunities for pianists to engage in collaborative playing with other pianists, 4-hands/1 piano, 4-hands/2 pianos, 8-hands/2 pianos, and more.
Prerequiste: Piano and Organ majors only
PIANO MASTER CLASS
Class provides daily opportunities for piano and organ majors to interact in a performance class, a group lesson, a studio class or a master class with faculty and guest artists. This class also covers special topics such as early keyboard instruments, musician wellness and performance anxiety.
Prerequisite: Piano and organ majors only.
PIANO SEMINAR
The study and analysis of keyboard music with a focus on prominent composer techniques, forms, and their idiomatic styles.
Prerequisite: Piano and organ majors only.
PRACTICE HOUR
Provides additional time for the dedicated music student to practice their solo or ensemble repertoire.
Prerequisite: Music program students only.
PRIVATE LESSONS
Students who are proficient on an instrument and desire to continue private study during the camp session may do so as an elective option if their schedule permits. Lessons are 50 minutes each and individual instruction is available in classical piano and all band and orchestral instruments only. Additional cost is $95 per week.
Prerequisite: Three years previous study on instrument
INTRODUCTION TO ACTING
The course is designed for non-majors who have an interest in exploring the fundamentals of preparation for theatrical performance. Students will engage in voice and movement exercises, improvisation, theatre games and limited work with scripted material.
Prerequisite: None
BOOK ARTS (2D)
This one-period class is an overview of book arts and is open to all students. Book Arts will provide both introductory and more challenging experiences and will cover basic materials and techniques associated with bookbinding. Students will explore the book as a form for presenting art-making methods or working sequentially. This course is also recommended as an elective for creative writing majors.
Prerequisite: None
CERAMICS
This elective is open to all students who have an interest in learning about clay as an art form. This class is an exploration of sculptural techniques and functional vessel making. Students work with a variety of hand-building techniques and are introduced to surface decorative techniques and a variety of firing processes. Emphasis is placed on the use of clay as an expressive material.
Prerequisite: None
DRAWING (2D)
This one-period course an overview of drawing and is open to all students. Drawing is designed to develop hand-eye coordination and the ability to draw from observation. The class will investigate traditional media through simple exercises starting with gestures, blind contours and contour drawings. Students will also investigate linear perspective, the development of pictorial space, composition and how significant artists used the media they are studying. Personal expression is explored through open assignments.
Prerequisite: None
FIBERS
This one-period course is an overview of fiber arts and is open to all students. Fiber Arts will introduce a variety of techniques for creating fiber-based forms and wearable art. Students will explore soft construction and surface design techniques.
Prerequisite: None
METALS
This class is designed to introduce students to metals as a means to explore a personal artistic voice. Students will explore materials such as copper and silver and metals techniques such as soldering, press molding, and braising.
Prerequisite: None
PAINTING (2D)
This one-period course is an overview of painting and is open to all students. Painting will provide both introductory and more challenging experiences for students. The class is geared to individual needs and all levels of experience. A variety of painting media will be explored. Assignments include work with the expressive qualities of painting, including: color, space, structure and composition. Frequent critiques and art history discussions support studio work.
Prerequisite: None
PRINTMAKING (2D)
This one-period elective course is an overview of printmaking as an art form and is open to all students. Students will explore basic techniques for multiple image generation such as stamping, embossment, drypoint, stencil printing and monoprinting.
Prerequisite: None
SCULPTURE
This course provides an introduction to working in three dimensions. Sculpture is in-depth exploration of techniques such as casting, carving, modeling and construction while using a wide range of materials (clay, wax, metals, etc.) to encourage personal expression. Students also learn about creative problem solving through traditional and contemporary ways of working three-dimensionally.
Prerequisite: None
New Elective in 2010: ADVANCED STRING QUARTET
This program combines orchestral playing in the morning with intensive string quartet rehearsals and coaching in the afternoon. Students in this program will have individual practice time, special quartet performance opportunities and will participate in a recording project. Due to the intensity of the program, Advanced String Quartet elective students are not able to select additional electives.
How to apply:
- Check the appropriate box under "Advanced String Quartet Elective" on your Application for Admission.
- Add "Advanced String Quartet" to the label on your audition recording.
- Include a short résumé listing your string quartet experience.
- Students applying for this program are encouraged to submit audition materials on DVD.
