In addition, the summer program will be shortened from eight weeks to six weeks, and for the first time one- and two-week sessions will be offered.

These measures, according to Interlochen officials, have been taken as part of a "revamping" of the summer programs in order to cut costs and tailor programs to students' needs. Interlochen's budget last year was $25.5 million, and according to president Jeffrey Kimpton, the center took in less than 1 percent more than costs.

"Our salaries are not strong," Kimpton told the Record-Eagle. "If we're going to be competitive, we need to be concerned about that."

The instructors have not, strictly speaking, been fired, since Interlochen reconsiders the positions every year.

Gabriel Villasurda, the conductor of the intermediate orchestra and a longtime summer employee, told the paper, "This absolutely decimates the faculty." He added that letting go of instructors who are also college professors or musicians at major symphony orchestras hurts Interlochen's international reputation.

The summer program was shortened to accommodate longer public school schedules.