Interlochen Center for the Arts

Interlochen is a working arts school, and the reason to go is a concert: students and guest artists perform here year-round, and the public is welcome.

It began in 1928 as the National High School Orchestra Camp, founded by Joseph Maddy with music educator Thaddeus P. Giddings, and opened with 115 students. Today it runs a summer arts camp, the Interlochen Arts Academy boarding high school (opened in 1962) and Interlochen Public Radio, which started in 1963 broadcasting student and faculty performances.

Summer is the big season. The Interlochen Arts Festival brings a summer-long run of performances, with concerts at Kresge Auditorium, and the rest of the year Interlochen Presents lists student and guest-artist shows, from choir concerts to musicals. Check the calendar and book through Interlochen’s own site.

For a summer concert, bring a clear bag and leave the water bottle in the car; outside food and drink are not allowed, but concessions are sold inside the gates. General parking is free and lots open two hours before doors. Make a day of it with a swim at Interlochen State Park, next door.