Blue Lake International Exchange Program

During the summer sessions, each orchestra major will have the opportunity to audition and/ or interview for the International Youth Symphony Orchestra, which will tour Europe in the summer of 2013 as a part of Blue Lake’s International Exchange Program. The 2012 IYSO is under the direction of Janis Peterson. For additional information on this exciting opportunity, see the Blue Lake International Program.
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The Orchestra Program at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp is designed to challenge students of all proficiency levels. Students are grouped by ability, as determined by auditions on the opening day of the session. Our orchestra conducting staff selects a challenging repertoire. Students receive five hours of intensive daily rehearsals, sectionals, and technique classes. Students can complete their instructional day by choosing a Minor, allowing them to experience another area of interest while at camp. See minors for a complete listing of courses. Students also have the opportunity to hear various performances presented as a part of Blue Lake’s Summer Arts Festival, as well as participate in recreational activities and other camp events.

Masterworks Orchestra
During Sessions I and II only, the most advanced string players as determined by the opening day auditions will be assigned to the Masterworks Orchestra. The Session I Masterworks Orchestra will perform Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 3 in D major, Op. 29, “Polish.” The session II Masterworks Orchestra will perform Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95, “From the New World.”

Orchestra Winds and Percussion Sessions III and IV
Wind and percussion players desiring orchestra must initially enroll in Band and are selected by audition on opening day. Students ranking the highest in their sections may choose Band or Orchestra. Those choosing orchestra will perform in two orchestras.

Orchestra Winds and Percussion Sessions I and II
Wind and percussion players desiring orchestra must initially enroll in Band and are selected by audition on opening day. Students ranking the highest in their sections may choose Band or Orchestra. Those choosing orchestra will perform in two orchestras and participate in a brass ensemble, woodwind ensemble, or percussion ensemble. (See below for Masterworks Orchestra Winds and Percussion information).

Masterworks Orchestra Winds and Percussion
The Masterworks Orchestra Wind and Percussion Section (Sessions I and II only) will be comprised of qualified high school campers who have auditioned in advance. Following the audition process, remaining openings will be filled by college-age Blue Lake staff members. Students selected for the Masterworks Orchestra Wind and Percussion Section will also be assigned private lessons, chamber music rehearsals, listening sessions, and participate in the Blue Lake Staff Band (a concert band comprised of college-age Blue Lake staff members) as part of their overall instruction. Students interested in auditioning for the Session I or II Masterworks Orchestra must submit an audition via CD by March 15. Significant scholarship aid toward camp tuition is available to those who qualify. Please call 800-221-3796 or visit Masterworks Orchestra Wind and Percussion Information for detailed audition requirements.

Junior Orchestra Program
Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp also offers a string orchestra program for younger students with less musical experience at Camp Bernstein. For more details go to Junior Camp.

Orchestra Conductors 2012

Session 1:  June 27 – July 8
Masterworks Orchestra—Tony Porter, Waukegon, IL
Symphony Orchestra—Mark Kotchenruther, Grand Rapids, MI
Concert Orchestra—John Riegel, Hilliard, OH

Session 2: July 11 – July 22
Masterworks Orchestra—Bradley Pfeil, Naperville, IL
Symphony Orchestra—H. Michael Endres, Ypsilanti, MI
Concert Orchestra—Linda Trotter, West Bloomfield, MI

Session 3:  July 25– August 5
Symphony Orchestra—James Roach, Kalamazoo, MI
Concert Orchestra— Frances Oare, Wichita, KS
Red Orchestra—Jean Lee, Okemos, MI
Blue Orchestra—Richard Pierce, Dearborn, MI

Session 4:  August 8 – August 19
Symphony Orchestra—Dorothy McDonald, Okemos, MI
Concert Orchestra—Peter Lograsso, Northbrook, IL
Red Orchestra—David Farquhar, Villa Park, IL
Blue Orchestra—Tanya Bennett, Detroit, MI

 

High School
Grades 9-12 next school year

Session I: June 27 - July 8, 2012*
Session II: July 11 - 22, 2012

 

Intermediate
Grades 7-9 next school year

Session III: July 25 - August 5, 2012
Session IV: August 8 - 19, 2012

*Go to Camper Solo Competition for more information on how you can participate in Blue Lake's Student Solo Competition!