Interlochen Center for the Arts Celebrates Centennial with "Sounding the Call
News related to:Interlochen Center for the Arts · 2 min read
INTERLOCHEN, Mich., Oct. 14, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Interlochen Center for the Arts is celebrating its centennial with a unique and immersive sound installation and live performance, "Sounding the Call," set to take place on October 17, 2026, during Academy Reunion Weekend. The event, produced by Keith Aleo, Director of Percussion at Interlochen Center for the Arts, and Doug Perkins, Director of Percussion at the University of Michigan, features an 18-note metallophone and 40 tuned wind chimes, all crafted by Garry Kvistad, an Interlochen alumnus who attended the National Music Camp and Interlochen Arts Camp in 1963 and 1964, and Interlochen Arts Academy from 1964 to 1967.
The wind chimes, now adorned by current Interlochen visual arts students under the guidance of Patty Smith, will be installed across the campus, transforming the grounds into a dynamic sound environment that changes with the northern Michigan weather. The installation will be centered around the classic Camp song, "Sound the Call," creating a harmonious blend of past and present. The event is scheduled to begin at 2:15 p.m. on Osterlin Mall near the Melody Freeze, where attendees can experience the unique soundscape of the campus.
In conjunction with the installation, a world premiere of a new commissioned work by composer Joseph Karz, an Interlochen Arts Camp alumnus from 2017 and 2018, will be performed by the Interlochen Percussion Ensemble. The premiere will pair the new composition with an installation built by an alumnus whose time on campus came five decades earlier, highlighting the enduring legacy of the arts institution. The event is part of Academy Reunion Weekend, which runs from October 16 to 18, 2026, and is open to the public.
"Sounding the Call" is part of a series of centennial events planned for Interlochen, including the Interlochen Centennial "Collage" in July 2027 and a centennial performance of "Les Préludes" in August 2027.
The event is centered on Osterlin Mall, near the Melody Freeze, and is open to the public during Academy Reunion Weekend. Attendees can experience the unique soundscape of the campus, reflecting on a century of artistic excellence and creative community. The installation and performance are free and open to all, making it a perfect opportunity for alumni, current students, and the broader community to celebrate the rich history and ongoing legacy of Interlochen Center for the Arts.