Amanda Sewell

Music Director
  • Amanda Sewell
    Amanda Sewell

Amanda Sewell is a musicologist who holds a Ph.D. in musicology from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Her research about music has appeared in textbooks, academic journals, and music encyclopedias.  Her first book, a biography of the American composer Wendy Carlos, is forthcoming from Oxford University Press. Amanda frequently contributes program notes for performances of classical music, including performances at Interlochen Center for the Arts.

Ways to Connect

For Brian Stokes Mitchell, music can be an act of gratitude

By • 4 hours ago

After he recovered from COVID-19 this spring, Brian Stokes Mitchell sang "The Impossible Dream" out the window of his New York home every night at 7 o'clock.

But it wasn't a performance, he says. Instead, it was "a song of gratitude for the essential workers." That's why he didn't sing any other songs. To him, "The Impossible Dream" most accurately captured the experiences of the doctors, nurses and other first responders who were hard at work during the pandemic.

The Interlochen Collection: Celebrating the 50th camp season

By • Aug 7, 2020
Interlochen Center for the Arts

In 1977, Interlochen Center for the Arts celebrated its 50th camp season.

A World Youth Symphony Orchestra concert on August 7 featured guest conductor Howard Hanson.

Hanson had conducted student orchestras at Interlochen since the camp's first summer in 1928. 

Interlochen performance on Performance Today: August 10, 2020

By • Aug 7, 2020

On Monday, August 10, the nationally syndicated program Performance Today will feature music performed and recorded at Interlochen Center for the Arts.

Tune in during the 11 a.m. hour of the program to hear pianist Wu Han and violinist Alexander Sitkovetsky perform Souvenir d'un lieu cher by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The performance was from a recent recital they and colleagues from the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center presented in the Dendrinos Chapel and Recital Hall.

Michael Culler engineered the recording.

Making the Rounds with Kevin LaRose 68

By • Aug 6, 2020

Multi-instrumentalist Kevin LaRose is also an Interlochen Center for the Arts campus safety officer. 

 Every Thursday at 3 a.m. during his rounds,  Kevin makes a video of himself playing a different instrument in a variety of locations on the Interlochen campus.

Scroll down to see Kevin's video for the week.

Can you correctly identify (1) what instrument he's playing, and/or (2) where on the Interlochen campus he is?

Making the Rounds with Kevin LaRose 67

By • Jul 30, 2020

Multi-instrumentalist Kevin LaRose is also an Interlochen Center for the Arts campus safety officer. 

 Every Thursday at 3 a.m. during his rounds,  Kevin makes a video of himself playing a different instrument in a variety of locations on the Interlochen campus.

Scroll down to see Kevin's video for the week.

Can you correctly identify (1) what instrument he's playing, and/or (2) where on the Interlochen campus he is?

Interlochen performance on Performance Today: July 28, 2020

By • Jul 27, 2020

On Tuesday, July 28, the nationally syndicated program Performance Today will feature music recorded and performed at Interlochen Center for the Arts. 

Join Classical IPR during the broadcast to hear the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in a recent performance at Interlochen's Kresge Auditorium. Conducted by Matthias Pinscher, the orchestra played Maurice Ravel's Mother Goose Suite.

Michael Culler engineered the recording. 

Great Lakes Concerts: July 27, 2020

By • Jul 26, 2020

Each week, Jody Knol is your host for a program of great music from the Great Lakes region. 

Great Lakes Concerts is co-produced by WKAR, WRCJ and Interlochen Public Radio. Listen Mondays at 6 p.m. on Classical IPR.

This week's program

Peter Tchaikovsky: Polonaise from the opera, "Eugen Onegin," Op. 24
Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra
Laura Jackson, conductor
(Recorded in Michigan Theater on October 12, 2019)

The Interlochen Collection: Cynthia Raim

By • Jul 24, 2020

This week's episode of the Interlochen Collection features pianist Cynthia Raim. We'll hear archival recordings from her time as an Interlochen camper in the early 1960s as well as her later professional commercial recordings.

Listen to the entire episode below.

Making the Rounds with Kevin LaRose 66

By • Jul 23, 2020

Multi-instrumentalist Kevin LaRose is also an Interlochen Center for the Arts campus safety officer. 

Every Thursday at 3 a.m. during his rounds,  Kevin makes a video of himself playing a different instrument in a variety of locations on the Interlochen campus. 

Scroll down to see Kevin's video for the week.

Can you correctly identify (1) what instrument he's playing, and/or (2) where on the Interlochen campus he is?

Great Lakes Concerts: July 20, 2020

By • Jul 19, 2020

Great Lakes Concerts is co-produced by WKAR, Interlochen Public Radio and WRCJ. Hosted by Jody Knol, the program features great music from the Great Lakes.

Listen Mondays at 6 p.m. on Classical IPR.

This week's program

Marcus Norris: GLORY for Violin and Chamber Orchestra
Xie Min, violin                                                                                                                               
Jackson Symphony Orch
Matthew Aubin, conductor
(World Premiere--Recorded March 24, 2019 Weatherwax Hall, Jackson, MI)

From Peppermint Patty to Lisa Davis, Toni Trucks is drawn to strong characters

By • Jul 17, 2020

When Toni Trucks learned she'd be going on tour with the USO last summer, she thought she'd need to prepare a song and dance routine to perform for the troops. 

That wouldn't have been a stretch for her. After all, Trucks studied musical theater at Interlochen Arts Camp and Academy as well as the University of Michigan.

Her first role on stage was at the Ramsdell in Manistee, where she sang in the chorus of "Sweet Charity" at the age of seven.

The Interlochen Collection: The White House

By • Jul 16, 2020
Interlochen Center for the Arts

On this edition of The Interlochen Collection, we revisit the National High School Symphony Orchestra’s trip to the White House in 1962, where they performed for President John F. Kennedy.

Listen to the entire episode below.

Interlochen performance on Performance Today: July 17, 2020

By • Jul 16, 2020

On Friday, July 17, the nationally syndicated program Performance Today will feature music that was performed and recorded at Interlochen Center for the Arts.

Join Classical IPR during the 11 a.m. hour of the program to hear the Danish String Quartet perform their own arrangements of two traditional folk songs. The recital took place in Interlochen's Corson Auditorium.

Michael Culler engineered the recording.

Making the Rounds with Kevin LaRose 65

By • Jul 16, 2020

Multi-instrumentalist Kevin LaRose is also an Interlochen Center for the Arts campus safety officer. 

Every Thursday at 3 a.m. during his rounds,  Kevin makes a video of himself playing a different instrument in a variety of locations on the Interlochen campus. 

Scroll down to see Kevin's video for the week.

Can you correctly identify (1) what instrument he's playing, and/or (2) where on the Interlochen campus he is?

Classical IPR in Concert: 2019 Interlochen Arts Camp faculty chamber music, vol. 3

By • Jul 14, 2020

This week on Classical IPR in Concert, the program features chamber music performed by faculty members of the 2019 Interlochen Arts Camp. 

Listen Friday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 12 p.m. or any time on demand below.


Great Lakes Concerts: July 13, 2020

By • Jul 12, 2020

Great Lakes Concerts is a co-production of Interlochen Public Radio, WRCJ and WKAR. Jody Knol is your host each week for great music from the Great Lakes Region.

Listen Mondays at 6 p.m. on Classical IPR

This week's playlist

Gareth Farr: Kembang Suling
Richard Sherman, flute
Gwendolyn Dease, marimba
(Recorded Feb 21, 2019- Urban beat, Old Town)

Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 in E-Flat, Op. 55, "Eroica"
Traverse Symphony Orchestra
Kevin Rhodes, conductor
(Recorded February 17, 2019, Corson Auditorium, Interlochen) 

From puppeteering to dancing in flippers, Barrett Foa has many special skills

By • Jul 9, 2020

Barrett Foa has portrayed the character of Eric Beale on "NCIS: Los Angeles" since 2009, but acting is just one item on a long list of his skills.

In addition to being a TV star, Foa is also a singer and a dancer who has appeared on Broadway hundreds of times.

Making the Rounds with Kevin LaRose 64

By • Jul 9, 2020

Multi-instrumentalist Kevin LaRose is also an Interlochen Center for the Arts campus safety officer. 

Every Thursday at 3 a.m. during his rounds,  Kevin makes a video of himself playing a different instrument in a variety of locations on the Interlochen campus. 

Scroll down to see Kevin's video for the week.

Can you correctly identify (1) what instrument he's playing, and/or (2) where on the Interlochen campus he is?

Classical IPR in Concert: 2019 Interlochen Arts Camp faculty chamber music, vol. 2

By • Jul 8, 2020

This week on Classical IPR in Concert, the program features chamber music performed by faculty members of the 2019 Interlochen Arts Camp. 

Listen Friday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 12 p.m. or any time on demand below.


Interlochen performance on Performance Today: July 9, 2020

By • Jul 8, 2020

On Thursday, July 9, the nationally syndicated classical music program Performance Today will feature music recorded at Interlochen Center for the Arts.

Join Classical IPR during the 11 a.m. EST hour of the program to hear the Telegraph Quartet perform three divertimenti by Benjamin Britten. This recital took place in the Dendrinos Chapel and Recital Hall.

Michael Culler engineered the recording.

Great Lakes Concerts: July 6, 2020

By • Jul 5, 2020

Hosted by WKAR's Jody Knol, Great Lakes Concerts is a weekly co-production of WKAR, WRCJ and Interlochen Public Radio.

Listen Mondays at 6 p.m. on Classical IPR.

This week's playlist

Wang Jie: "America the Beautiful"

Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra
Morihiko Nakahara, conductor
(Recorded in Michigan Theater on November 2, 2019)

Aaron Copland: Ballet suite, "Appalachian Spring"
Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra
Mark Gibson, conductor
(Recorded in Hill Auditorium on September 13, 2019)

The music of Hugh Downs at Interlochen

By • Jul 3, 2020
Interlochen Center for the Arts

Since the 1940s, Hugh Downs has been known to most Americans as a television host on programs including "Tonight: Starring Jack Paar," "Today" and "20/20."

Downs, who died July 1 at the age of 99, was also a composer of classical music. He hosted the PBS classical music program "Live from Lincoln Center" during the 1990s.

From 'Reveille' to 'Taps' and everything in between, Walter White is always prepared

By • Jul 3, 2020

Trumpeter Walter White was a little disappointed when the television show "Breaking Bad" starting becoming popular. 

White says that he used to be at the top of the Google searches for his name, or in second place after the longtime NAACP leader Walter Francis White.

Making the Rounds with Kevin LaRose 63

By • Jul 2, 2020

Multi-instrumentalist Kevin LaRose is also an Interlochen Center for the Arts campus safety officer. 

Every Thursday at 3 a.m. during his rounds,  Kevin makes a video of himself playing a different instrument in a variety of locations on the Interlochen campus. 

Scroll down to see Kevin's video for the week. This week, he was assisted (at a safe distance) by Interlochen Arts Academy student Edgar Lam.

Can you correctly identify where on the Interlochen campus Kevin and Edgar are?

Classical IPR in Concert: 2019 Interlochen Arts Camp faculty chamber music, vol. 1

By • Jul 1, 2020

This week on Classical IPR in Concert, the program features chamber music performed by faculty members of the 2019 Interlochen Arts Camp. 

Listen Friday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 12 p.m. or any time on demand below.


Pages