[Dixielandjazz] Interlochen

[Rob McCallum]

Hello all,

Interesting post about the Interlochen Music Camp.  I attended a session 
there in the mid-1980s for symphonic band and an extra-curricular jazz big 
band.  The challenge system used by the conductor did not have the students 
have a say, though the challenges were done during rehearsals and so 
everyone heard the challenge.  The director decided if the challenger had 
won, but didn't announce it.  The director told the participants after the 
rehearsal and, if anything had changed, the students would be in different 
seats for the following rehearsal.  I didn't find anything unusual about 
this practice as this was essentially the same system employed in my high 
school.  I can see how having the band members democratically vote could be 
rather unobjective.

I found the music aspect at Interlochen to be wonderful (band, directors, 
rehearsals, private lessons and campus), but the camping aspect was 
miserable.  When the band director announced the formation of the 
extra-curricular big band, I jumped to sign up only to be told by my 
college-age cabin counselor person that I wouldn't be able to go because it 
was required that I participate in "camping" activities -- swimming, soccer, 
cookouts etc.--a practice I called "forced fun."  I protested that I was 
only there for a short time and it was ridiculous that I couldn't join a big 
band because I had to be back in mid-afternoon for "recess" with a bunch of 
people I didn't know (much less like).  He said I had no choice and that it 
was policy!  I joined the big band anyway and only showed up back at the 
cabin to sleep.  No one ever said anything else to me about it.  Come to 
think of it, I don't really think I associated with anyone at the camp site. 
  The campus and the campgrounds are really like two separate worlds.

BTW- I don't know if it's still standing, but they had a large band shell 
where the seats for the audience were benches and it was under the trees.  
That's where we played our concerts.  It's been there for years and someone 
there told me that Paul Whiteman's group had played on that stage in the 
1920s.

All the best,
Rob McCallum









From: Steve barbone <barbonestreet at earthlink.net>
>To: DJML <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
>Subject: [Dixielandjazz] The Changing Music Business:
>Date: Wed, 05 Jan 2005 11:58:35 -0500
>
>Long, not particularly OKOM. However a testament to the changing music
>business and what must be done to survive within it.
>
>Bottom Line? Read the last two paragraphs if nothing else. They do indeed
>apply to OKOM.
>
>Cheers,
>Steve Barbone
>
>
>January 5, 2005 - By DANIEL J. WAKIN - NY TIMES
>
>A Different Tune Is Being Played at a Venerable Music Camp
>