The Interlochen Center for the Arts is creating a program that will teach young musicians the "discipline of popular music songwriting."
Interlochen has traditionally been a mecca for classical music, but in recent years the institution (which hosts both a summer camp and a year-long school) has embraced more contemporary art forms.
For example, students can major in "motion picture arts" and study the latest filmmaking techniques.
Interlochen has just posted a job opening for a lead instructor for its new singer/songwriter program.
From Interlochen's website:
This program will lead students to creative approaches to popular musical composition by developing skills in melody, harmony, arranging, and lyric writing, while seeking to nurture a distinct individual writing and performance style.
The northern Michigan institution has taught many young musicians who've gone on to become successful singer/songwriters, including
- Norah Jones,
- Rufus Wainwright,
- Sufjan Stevens,
- and, most famously, Jewel Kilcher.