This Sunday, August 9th, "Les Préludes" will light up the Interlochen Bowl for the 99th year of this beloved Interlochen tradition at the conclusion of Interlochen Arts Camp. The World Youth Symphony Orchestra, World Youth Wind Symphony, Interlochen Philharmonic and the Interlochen Summer Dance Ensemble will take the stage under the baton of conductor Creston Herron.
Classical IPR will be broadcasting the concert on Sunday evening starting at 7 p.m., with pre- and post-show commentary by music director Amanda Sewell and host Tyler Castellanos.
Conductor Creston Herron visited Classical IPR's Studio A and spoke to Isabel Li about what it's like to lead a performance with multiple ensembles while carrying on a tradition experienced by thousands of Interlochen alumni.
Hear the Studio A interview by clicking the "Listen" button above.
Isabel Li: How are you feeling about conducting 'Les Préludes' coming up, especially since this is the 99th year of this annual tradition?
Creston Herron: I know, I'm very, very excited. I'll tell you, it's been a tremendous honor and privilege to have this opportunity. But also, I'd like to say it's a tremendous responsibility to have this honor of carrying on this tradition of nearly a century performing this piece. And I think about that, and I think about how this is bigger than just me. I am of only one person, a part of a line of incredible musicians and educators that have conducted 'Les Préludes' before. And one thing for me that I reflect on, and I think that special that I hold on to is that every single generation of young musicians that come through Interlochen experience this performance. And I think about the many, many alumni that are going to come and or see the performance via livestream. And they remember what it was like being in that seat in that same stage in the bowl. And I think about that, and I think about how this piece of music connects so many generations of people across almost a century. It's really powerful.
IL: And you've seen one of these performances before. Can you tell us how you first felt when you watched 'Les Préludes' in person?
CH: Absolutely. Well, first of all, this is a massive orchestra that's immediately you see this and you're like, this is probably one of the largest orchestras many of the people for the first time seeing this will have ever seen. And then when you are already in shock with that, all of a sudden, dancers come out to this beautiful music and you're just so inspired by not only what you're seeing, but then your surroundings. You're in the middle of this beautiful view view of nature around you. You're just so surrounded by creativity and it allows it enhances the experience, I think. And so I'm watching this and I'm watching these students perform at such high level. I'm wondering, oh my gosh, I couldn't imagine if I had that experience. I'm thinking, I wish when I was their age, I could have had that experience.
"I hope that students will see that they are a part of something that is bigger than themselves. This is not just another concert. This is their opportunity to write their chapter and put it into a story that has already been written by many young musicians from generations before them."Conductor Creston Herron
IL: That is wonderful. What is it like to coordinate a performance with such a significant student body with multiple ensembles, as well as a summer dance ensemble?
CH: Oh, absolutely. I'll tell you, it's not just me. It takes a village. And let me tell you, the Interlochen village is powerful. We we've got some of the best and brightest people in the field that come together to make this a very unique and special experience for everyone. You have our our stage crew that are phenomenal. We don't lift a chair, and somehow these things come together. We have our ensemble managers for each of the ensembles that are on their own, in their own right, incredible musicians and conductors, and they have their own orchestras or ensembles that they conduct at home, and so they bring those experiences and expertise together to help corral this. Almost 300 people in this one area, and they do it with just effortlessness.
We had our first rehearsal last night, and to see them prepare this and practice this, they have everything down to a tee. I feel like I have the easiest job in many, in many cases, in many ways to get up there and just enjoy this music with the students. But yeah, it definitely takes a village to put this together.
IL: And lastly, what do you hope the students and the audiences will take away from this 99th annual 'Les Préludes' performance?
CH: Mhm. That's a great question. I hope that students will see that they are a part of something that is bigger than themselves. This is not just another concert. This is their opportunity to write their chapter and put it into a story that has already been written by many young musicians from generations before them. And this experience, they probably for many years from now, they will might not remember everything that happened in a rehearsal, but they will certainly remember the special moment where they created with all these other young musicians and dancers.
And also for the audience, I hope that they also are inspired because this is something that has inspired people for generations, almost a century now. And I hope that they also leave inspired. And you think in a time where we're in a world that many times feels very divided. You know, this an experience like this, a performance like this, where music reminds us that if we listen to each other, if we work together, we can create something very, very remarkable and we can do extraordinary things. So I hope that that brings hope and inspiration to everyone, both on and off stage.
