INTERLOCHEN — Fan favorites, new faces, and even a few returning alumni are set to take the stage as part of this season’s Summer Festival Concert Series at Interlochen Center for the Arts!
The event, which was inaugurated in 1964 and now runs annually from June to August, has since grown to encompass upwards of 100 seasonal guest performers and an ever-increasing variety of musical genres styles, and presentations.
Historically, these have included some staples — including crowd-pleasing “heritage” acts [think: oldies, like the Beach Boys or Earth, Wind, and Fire] and the requisite country show or two — as well as a smattering of other styles, traditionally headlined by singer-songwriters, jam bands, and larger-scale orchestral arrangements.
Per Executive Director of Interlochen Presents, Brent Wrobel, the process of piecing each lineup together starts more than a year in advance, with past seasons’ data providing the framework for acts that might resonate most with audience members. In response to that, and a concerted effort to appeal to a growing young-adult demographic, guests can expect the 2024 program to push the usual boundaries a bit.
In addition to several veteran performers — The Old Crow Medicine Show, and folk band, Lake Street Dive are all returning to Kresge this year — the 2024 program will also feature sets from American rock musician, Saul “Slash” Hudson (former lead guitarist of Guns ‘n Roses), and funky fusion group, 311.
“It’s not a typical season for us. We’re trying hard to be as diverse as we can, and people seem really jazzed about what we’re doing. I’m pretty excited,” Wrobel said.
One aspect of Interlochen’s summer festival season that hasn’t changed, though, is its scores of returning alumni artists, many of whom take the stage year after year.
“We have a very active alumni base, and we engage them often throughout the year. That they want to give back to a place that meant so much to them has just been great,” he added.
If you’re unfamiliar, Interlochen Arts Academy and its camps have produced dozens of varied (and passionate!) alumni, whose achievements run the creative gamut, from music to film and visual arts.
As far as the concert lineup goes, though, it’s performance that really takes center stage.
Artists in this group include mainstream musicians like Jewel and Norah Jones, among others; as well as theater and stage performers — notably, actor James Ginty (of K-19: The Widowmaker fame), as well as Interlochen trustee and Hamilton Broadway cast member, Sidney J. Harcourt. The academy’s summer Shakespeare Festival is also entirely alumni-based.
For many of these entertainers, said Wrobel, Interlochen not only served as a springboard into the industry, but also holds a sense of nostalgia that makes returning a no-brainer.
“Many of them say things like I found my voice and my people when I went to school or camp here. It was a formative part of their growing up and trajectory into their career,” he said.
As part of their visits, most alumni performers also find time to engage with current students, many of whom aspire to achieve a similar level of success in their fields.
For busier artists, this time is often condensed to just a couple of hours, like a masterclass or Q&A session. Alumni with more flexible schedules, though, are encouraged to partake in a “residency,” wherein they spend a day or two interacting with as many students as possible.
Per Wrobel, outreach to these performers is largely lead by faculty, who are often “dialed in” to the alumni they’d most like their students to collaborate with. From there, that list is narrowed to a handful of returning performers whose schedules align with concert infrastructure (bonus points if one or two of those people come with a little popular buzz!).
“These residencies are built with student value in mind,” Wrobel added. “Having [alumni] speak in front of our entire student body has been a game-changer for us.”
And that impact’s about to get even bigger.
Though he can’t say exactly how many Interlochen alumni come back to perform each year, Wrobel noted that the venue aims to bolster that involvement by upping seasonal concert numbers.
He also highlighted a renewed focus on expanding Interlochen’s amenities; notably, the venue’s new wine and beer patio, wherein patrons can sip on a beverage by the water and bring it back to their seats for showtime, as well as an onsite grill for concessions. Also on the docket are improved performer accommodations, from dressing rooms to equipment and beyond.
The goal here, he added, is to make visiting Interlochen an enjoyable and sought-after experience – both for audiences and performers, alike.
“This is such a special place in the summer, and we’re always thinking about what we can do to make people happy and enjoy their time here,” he added. “Hopefully in the next five years or so, Kresge Auditorium will be thought of as the place for artists to perform!”
For more information or to purchase summer concert tickets, visit interlochen.org.