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.  She is the author of Wendy Carlos: A Biography (Oxford University Press). Amanda lives in Traverse City with her husband, son and two dogs.

Ways to Connect

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.


From the boxing ring to the stage, Morton Achter grew up at Interlochen

By • Jun 30, 2020
Interlochen Center for the Arts

After Mort Achter won a boxing competition at a sports camp in the summer of 1947, his parents were worried.

They told him he'd have to go to music camp at Interlochen the next summer. If he didn't like it, he could return to sports camp the following year.

Starting in 1948, Achter would spend every summer for over a decade at Interlochen's National Music Camp.

Hear the sounds of Interlochen on Classical IPR this summer

By • Jun 28, 2020
Interlochen Center for the Arts

For the first time since 1928, campers, staff and faculty will not convene in person at Interlochen Center for the Arts this summer.

But the sounds of camp will still emanate from Interlochen via Classical IPR. 

Between June 27 and July 19, Classical IPR will have hourly, daily and weekly features celebrating the past, present and future of camp at Interlochen.

Great Lakes Concerts: June 29, 2020

By • Jun 28, 2020

Enjoy an hour of great music from the Great Lakes region every Monday at 6 p.m. on Classical IPR.

Jody Knol is your host. Great Lakes Concerts is co-produced by Interlochen Public Radio, WKAR and WRCJ.

This week's program

Bedrich Smetana: 3 Dances from "The Bartered Bride" - Polka; Furiant; Dance of the Comedians
Lansing Symphony Orch
Timothy Muffitt, conductor
(recorded live, May 19, 2017, Great Hall, Wharton Center)

Making the Rounds with Kevin LaRose 62

By • Jun 25, 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?

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