Interlochen Marks Centennial with Wind Chime Installation and Percussion Premiere

Interlochen Center for the Arts is continuing its centennial celebration with "Sounding the Call," an event featuring a campus-wide sound installation and a live performance. The event is scheduled for Saturday, October 17, 2026, on Osterlin Mall as part of the Academy Reunion Weekend.

The installation, a collaboration between Interlochen's Director of Percussion Keith Aleo and the University of Michigan's Director of Percussion Doug Perkins, features an 18-note metallophone and 40 tuned wind chimes. These instruments were crafted by Interlochen alumnus Garry Kvistad, with current visual arts students adorning the chimes.

Installed across the campus grounds, the wind chimes are designed to create an auditory environment that responds to the local weather. The unveiling of the chimes will be accompanied by the world premiere of a new commissioned work by composer Joseph Karz, an alumnus of Interlochen Arts Camp, performed by the Interlochen Percussion Ensemble.

"Sounding the Call" is one of several events planned for Interlochen's centennial year. Future events include the Interlochen Centennial "Collage" in July 2027 and a centennial performance of "Les Préludes" in August 2027.