High School Orchestra and Wind Symphony Summer Programs

High School Orchestras

The World Youth Symphony Orchestra (view repertoire) and the Interlochen Philharmonic (view repertoire) are the country’s leading orchestral experiences for advanced high school students. The faculty includes preeminent instructors who have extensive experience with major symphony orchestras. Repertoire is chosen from traditional and contemporary masterpieces as well as other influential genres. Under the direction of Jung-Ho Pak, the orchestra programs regularly feature some of the greatest artists in the world. Recent guest soloists include Yo-Yo Ma, Sarah Chang, Joshua Bell, Van Cliburn and many more.

World Youth Wind Symphony

The World Youth Wind Symphony (view repertoire) is the most advanced high school summer band experience available in the country. Ensemble rehearsals stress the technical, expressive and musical development of the individual within a collaborative setting. The World Youth Wind Symphony has performed under the baton of many internationally renowned conductors, composers and artists including Michael Haithcock, John Mackey, Karel Husa, H. Robert Reynolds, John Whitwell and Jerry Junkin. Alumni of WYWS have attended virtually every major university school of music and conservatory and currently enjoy careers as professional musicians around the globe.

In addition to playing in the World Youth Wind Symphony, select students will have the opportunity to perform in Chamber Winds. This ensemble will maintain a flexible instrumentation and perform works from the chamber wind repertoire.

Applicants who excel in woodwinds, brass or percussion, and apply by February 15, 2013, are automatically considered for the Fennell Scholars program. Scholarship winners can earn up to a full-tuition scholarship. Only the scholarship winners will be notified.

All Orchestral strings, harp, woodwinds, brass and percussion applicants who apply by February 15, 2013, are considered for the Emerson Scholars Program, which provides full-tuition scholarships. Only the scholarship winners will be notified.

Students may also be eligible for other need-based and merit-based financial aid.

Interlochen offers a separate concerto competition for High School and Intermediate divisions. Winners in the High School division will perform with one of the division’s orchestras or wind symphony. Concerto competition details >>

1. Prepare the materials listed below.
2. Complete the online application.
3. Submit your audition materials online.

Required Materials

• Video or audio file #1: Choose one movement from a piece listed in the suggested audition repertoire list (see bottom of this page), or choose a piece of comparable difficulty. Selections of contrasting style, and piano accompaniment when appropriate, are recommended. Percussionists should demonstrate skills on each of the following: snare drum, mallet instruments and timpani.
• Video or audio file #2: Choose one movement from an additional piece.
• Video or audio file #3: Prepare one major and one minor scale.

To be considered for the Fennell Scholars or Emerson Scholars programs, applicants must submit video auditions, and must complete their application and audition submission by February 15, 2013.

Helpful tip: place the microphone about six feet from your instrument.

When you arrive at Camp

All students will audition again during registration at the start of Camp, and will be placed into a specific ensemble group based on audition results.

Strings: Students will be placed in the World Youth Symphony Orchestra or Interlochen Philharmonic based on the results of auditions during registration at the beginning of Camp.

Winds and Percussion: Placement in an orchestra or the wind symphony will be determined based upon a student’s audition at the time of application. During registration at the beginning of Camp, students will audition for seating within the orchestras or wind symphony. Depending on repertoire requirements, percussionists may have the opportunity to play in both wind and orchestral ensembles.

Interlochen offers a several one-week, instrument-specific Institutes, which run the week prior to this program. Students are welcome to attend an instrumental Institute, and then stay on for the six-week Orchestra and Wind Symphony program. Institutes include:

• Bassoon and Advanced Bassoon
• Cello
• Flute
• Oboe
• Percussion
• Trombone
• Trumpet
• Horn
• Viola
• Violin

Advanced string players are invited to apply to the High School Advanced String Quartet Summer Program (students in this program also perform with the World Youth Symphony Orchestra or the Interlochen Philharmonic).

Interlochen is also home to the Arts Academy boarding high school, which offers an instrumental music major for grades 9-12.