THE FORMATIVE EXPERIENCE Investing in Excellence
A Bright Future for the French Horn Program
“It felt like heaven to me,” said Linda VanSickle Smith (IAC/NMC 57-60), recalling her first impression of Camp in 1956. Linda spent four summers at Interlochen and still vividly recalls the specific moment that sent her in a new direction. After Linda performed in Howard Hanson’s Symphony No. 2, with its soaring French horn solo, the composer himself walked to the stage and invited Linda to stand for applause. Shortly thereafter, Hanson offered Linda a full scholarship to attend the Eastman School of Music, where he was the director. Linda graduated from Eastman and enjoyed a successful music career before deciding to pursue a career in social work in the Dallas area. After retiring, Linda dove back into the music world, serving on boards and creating scholarship opportunities for young musicians to attend Interlochen. This year, Linda made a generous gift to establish the Linda VanSickle Smith French Horn Chair which will ensure future generations continue to have access to world-class instruction. This year-round position includes Camp and Academy programming and and raises the visibility of Interlochen’s French Horn program. Linda also provided ongoing support to the Linda VanSickle Smith Annual Scholarship in French Horn, which is awarded to an Orchestral Scholar as well as to additional campers in French horn.
The story of Interlochen’s first 95 years is one of steady growth and improvement. From the construction of the Interlochen Bowl amphitheater on Green Lake in 1928 to the present, we have consistently added the people, places, and resources to provide life-changing opportunities for young artists. Endowment gifts secure our hard-earned progress by ensuring the permanence of the programs which foster our creative excellence and open opportunities: faculty positions; visiting artists; scholarships; diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts; touring opportunities; and more.
“I’m so excited about this opportunity to work with Interlochen’s amazing French horn students. Linda’s generous gift will allow the next generation of young horn artists to thrive in this unique place.”
— Dr. Lauren Hunt, Linda VanSickle Smith French Horn Chair and Director of Brass Studies
WWW.INTERLOCHEN.ORG
13
12
2023 ANNUAL REPORT
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs