Local Clarinetist Abigail Gill to attend renowned Interlochen Arts Camp
Abigail Gill
Sumner Newscow report — Abigail Gill, 17, of Wellington, will attend Interlochen Arts Camp, the nation’s premier multidisciplinary summer arts program for aspiring artists, this summer. Gill, the daughter of Chad and Carissa Gill, will study at Interlochen as part of the World Youth Wind Ensemble.
Gill has had an outstanding year as an artist under band director Allen Hisken and local clarinet instructor Sondra Short. In February, after completing a rigorous audition process that starts at the district level, Gill was selected as the first chair for the KMEA 1234A All-State honor band. She continued representing Wellington High School at KSHSAA 4A Regional and State Solo Music Festivals and earned the top rating (I) at both.
Gill received a I+ rating and Outstanding Soloist award at the Tri-State Music Festival in Enid, Oklahoma, this May. Along with being chosen for the World Youth Wind Ensemble at Interlochen, Gill was selected to participate in the InterHarmony International Music Festival this summer in Italy. She is also a clarinetist for the Wichita Youth Symphony Orchestra.
Artistic students from around the world convene at Interlochen to expand their capacity in music, theatre, dance, creative writing, visual arts, and film. Through daily classes, enriching electives, and frequent performances, Interlochen students explore the full breadth of the arts, pursue creative breakthroughs, and forge lifelong cross-cultural friendships. Immersed in a multidisciplinary artistic environment, young creatives find reflection, rejuvenation, and inspiration on Interlochen’s pristine 1,200-acre wooded campus.
“We are excited to celebrate the start of the 96th season of Interlochen Arts Camp,” said Trey Devey, President of Interlochen Center for the Arts. “It is thrilling to witness the remarkable growth that takes place at Interlochen as students discover their potential and take their talent to the next level.” Interlochen Arts Camp has been at the forefront of arts education for nearly a century with a global alumni base that includes creative leaders in the arts and many other fields. The Camp’s distinguished alumni include Norah Jones, Josh Groban, Rufus Wainwright, Martha Graham Dance Company Artistic Director Janet Eilber, painter Laura Owens, New York Times theatre critic Jesse Green, Google co-founder Larry Page, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Mary Oliver, Olympic ice dancer Naomi Lang, Strong, actor Anthony Rapp, cartoonist Cathy Guisewite, and many more.
Approximately 17 percent of the nation’s professional orchestra musicians have roots at Interlochen, and the alumni community has been awarded nearly 100 Grammy Awards.
In addition to hundreds of performances, presentations, and readings by young artists, Interlochen brings leading artists to its northern Michigan campus each summer. Recent Interlochen Arts Festival guests have included Joshua Bell, Diana Ross, Wynton Marsalis, Yo-Yo Ma, Lady Antebellum, Harry Connick Jr., and many more.
