Amanda Sewell

Music Director
  • Amanda Sewell
    Amanda Sewell
    Photo by Daniel Wanschura

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

The Interlochen Collection: Lady Evelyn Rothwell Barbirolli

By • Mar 15, 2019
Interlochen Center for the Arts

On this edition of The Interlochen Collection, it's music performed by the acclaimed oboist Lady Evelyn Rothwell Barbirolli during several of the visits she made to Interlochen. Listen to the entire episode below.

Episode playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn, Concerto in C Major for Oboe and Orchestra
Interlochen Arts Academy Orchestra
Lady Evelyn Rothwell Barbirolli, oboe
Don Jaeger, conductor
November 1965

Classical IPR in conversation with Wu Han

By • Mar 12, 2019
Christian Steiner

Wu Han wears many hats. She is a pianist, co-artistic director of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, co-artistic director of Music@Menlo and co-founder of the record label ArtistLed.

Classical IPR welcomes From the Top to Interlochen Arts Academy

By • Mar 11, 2019

On Friday, March 15 at 7:30 p.m., NPR's From the Top will tape an episode at Interlochen Center for the Arts.  From the Top is a non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating the stories, talents, and character of young classically-trained musicians. 

Great Lakes Concerts: March 11, 2019

By • Mar 10, 2019
NOAA NGDC

This Monday at 6 p.m., join Classical IPR for Great Lakes Concerts, a weekly program featuring performances from all over the state.

Great Lakes Concerts is produced by WKAR Public Media at Michigan State in partnership with WRCJ Detroit and Interlochen Public Radio.

Music by Request playlist for March 9, 2019

By • Mar 9, 2019
Wikimedia Images

Thanks to listeners in Harbor Springs, Ludington, Traverse City, Glen Arbor and many other places for your requests this week.

1. Steven Reineke, The Witch and the Saint; Edward Petersen/The Washington Winds

2. Shadowfax, A Thousand Teardrops

3. Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Sonata no. 24; Andras Schiff

4. Percy Grainger, Lincolnshire Posy; Col. Michael Colburn, “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band

5. Antonin Dvorak, Symphony no. 6 (first movement); Marin Alsop/Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

6. BOND, Explosive

The Interlochen Collection: World Premieres

By • Mar 8, 2019
Interlochen Center for the Arts

On this edition of The Interlochen Collection, it's a program of world premieres given by Interlochen student ensembles. Listen to the entire episode below.

Detroit Symphony Orchestra LIVE: Classical Roots Celebration

By • Mar 6, 2019

Join Classical IPR Friday, March 8 at 10:40 a.m. for a live broadcast of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

The Friday morning concert takes place in Orchestra Hall and is produced in partnership with WRCJ Detroit and WKAR.

Classical IPR in Concert: Conrad Tao and Stefan Jackiw

By • Mar 6, 2019

Interlochen Center for the Arts recently welcomed violinist Stefan Jackiw and pianist Conrad Tao to the Dendrinos Chapel and Recital Hall. They performed music of Stravinsky, Lutoslawski, Saariaho and Brahms.

Great Lakes Concerts: March 4, 2019

By • Mar 3, 2019
NOAA GLERL.

This Monday at 6 p.m., join Classical IPR for Great Lakes Concerts, a weekly program featuring performances from all over the state.

Great Lakes Concerts is produced by WKAR Public Media at Michigan State in partnership with WRCJ Detroit and Interlochen Public Radio.

Music by Request playlist for March 2, 2019

By • Mar 2, 2019
Wikimedia Images

Thanks to listeners from Mackinac Island, Ludington, Interlochen, Higgins Lake and many other places for your requests this week.

1. Johann Pachelbel, Canon in D major; Raymond Leppard/English Chamber Orchestra

2. Claude Debussy, Reverie; Hélène Grimaud

3. Englebert Humperdinck, selections from Sleeping Beauty; Karl Anton Rickenbacher/Bamberg Symphony Orchestra

4. Felix Mendelssohn, Concert piece for clarinet and basset horn; Northern Chamber Orchestra/Lynsey Marsh/Elizabeth Jordan

Interlochen Public Radio remembers Dr. Stu Everett

By • Mar 1, 2019

Dr. Stu Everett, a retired veterinarian and longtime friend of Interlochen Public Radio, passed away recently. 

In memory of Dr. Everett, Classical IPR presented a program of music about animals. View the playlist below, and click the audio file to listen to the program.


In Studio A with jazz musicians Bill Sears and Gary Motley

By • Mar 1, 2019

Art Blakey was one of the most important jazz musicians of the second half of the 20th century. Bill Sears and Gary Motley recently visited IPR's Studio A to perform some of Blakey's music and discuss his legacy as a performer, mentor and bandleader.


The Interlochen Collection: Dance Party

By • Mar 1, 2019
Interlochen Center for the Arts

On this edition of The Interlochen Collection, Interlochen student ensembles perform dances from around the world. Listen to the entire episode below.

Classical IPR in Concert: Swan Lake from Interlochen Arts Academy

By • Feb 27, 2019
Interlochen Center for the Arts

This Friday, Classical IPR presents a recent performance of Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky's ballet Swan Lake from Interlochen Arts Academy.

The performance from December 2018 featured students in the Academy Dance and Orchestra programs.

The orchestra was conducted by Leslie Dunner. Joseph Morrissey is the director of dance.

Listen Friday at 8 p.m. or any time below.

Experience Baroque on Beaver 2019 with Classical IPR

By • Feb 27, 2019

Join Classical IPR for this year's Baroque on Beaver classical music festival, held on Beaver Island. The trip dates are Thursday August 1 through Sunday August 4, 2019.

The IPR trip includes roundtrip airfare, lodging, some meals, reserved premium seating at concerts, open orchestra and chorus rehearsals and roundtable discussions with festival musicians.

The tentative trip schedule is below - click the image to enlarge it.

Great Lakes Concerts: February 25, 2019

By • Feb 24, 2019
Wikimedia Commons

This Monday at 6 p.m., join Classical IPR for Great Lakes Concerts, a weekly program featuring performances from all over the state.

Great Lakes Concerts is produced by WKAR Public Media at Michigan State in partnership with WRCJ Detroit and Interlochen Public Radio.

Music by Request playlist for February 23, 2019

By • Feb 23, 2019
juandiegoflorez.com

Thanks to listeners in St. Ignace, Torch Lake, Ludington, Old Mission Peninsula and many other places for your requests this week.

1. Hans Zimmer & Lisa Gerrard, Now we are free (from Gladiator); 2CELLOS

2. Clifton Williams, Symphonic Suite; Eugene Corporon/North Texas Wind Symphony

3. Johann Sebastian Bach, Sleepers Awake! Danney Alkana

4. Traditional, Follow the drinking gourd; Richie Havens

5. Arturo Márquez, Danzón no. 2; Alondra de la Parra/Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas

6. Mia Jang, Lily Pond

In Studio A with pianist Jeeyoon Kim

By • Feb 22, 2019

Jeeyoon Kim is a classical pianist and music educator who takes surprising and innovative approaches to classical music. She recently visited Studio A at Interlochen Public Radio.

Kim performed music of Medtner, Handel and Grieg. She also spoke with Classical IPR about her Over. Above. Beyond. album.

An edited transcript of the interview appears below.


The Interlochen Collection: Organ Dedications

By • Feb 22, 2019
Interlochen Center for the Arts

On this edition of The Interlochen Collection, we’ll hear organ music from various Interlochen dedications. Listen to the entire episode below.

Classical IPR in Concert: Laureates of the Sphinx Competition

By • Feb 20, 2019

The Sphinx Competition is an annual concerto competition for young American string players of color. The winners of the Sphinx Competition often go on to remarkable careers.

Recently, three Sphinx Laureates gave a recital at the Great Lakes Center for the Arts in Bay Harbor. Violinist Elena Urioste, cellist Gabriel Cabezas and double bassist Xavier Foley performed with pianist  Tom Poster.

Great Lakes Concerts: February 18, 2019

By • Feb 17, 2019
Wikimedia Images

This Monday at 6 p.m., join Classical IPR for Great Lakes Concerts, a weekly program featuring performances from all over the state.

Great Lakes Concerts is produced by WKAR Public Media at Michigan State in partnership with WRCJ Detroit and Interlochen Public Radio.

Music by Request playlist for February 16, 2019

By • Feb 16, 2019

Thanks to listeners in Beulah, Ludington, Cedar Creek Township, Manistee and many other places for your requests this week.

1. Johannes Brahms, Symphony no. 1 (fourth movement); Riccardo Muti/Philadelphia Orchestra

2. Michael Daugherty, Bells for Stokowski; Jerry Junkin/University of Texas Wind Ensemble

3. Dan Visconti, Low Country Haze; Scharoun Ensemble

4. Louis Moreau Gottschalk, Souvenir de Porto Rico; Alan Feinberg

5. John Philip Sousa, Stars and Stripes Forever; Andre Kostelanetz and his orchestra

The Interlochen Collection: Felix Mendelssohn

By • Feb 15, 2019
Interlochen Center for the Arts

On this edition of The Interlochen Collection, it's music by Felix Mendelssohn. Listen to the entire episode below.

Kids Commute presents Kids Conducting at Winterlochen!

By • Feb 13, 2019

Hey kids! Have you ever wanted to conduct an orchestra? You can do it this year at Winterlochen!

Join your Kids Commute team on Saturday, February 16 in Corson Auditorium for your chance to conduct the Interlochen Arts Academy Orchestra. There are two sessions: 10 a.m. to 10:20 a.m., and 10:30 a.m. to 10:50 a.m.

Classical open mic night with IPR and Horizon Books

By • Feb 12, 2019

Classical IPR and Horizon Books are co-hosting a classical music open mic night! Join us Saturday, March 9 at 6:30 p.m. on the River Level (downstairs) of the Traverse City Horizon Books.

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