by John McGuire
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Lanette Compton, IHS 56 Competitions Coordinator
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Greetings, everyone, from your IHS 56 team here in wintery Colorado! We hope you have seen IHS 56 posts on social media, and, assuming so, you likely saw that a few days ago we woke up to temperatures of -20 degrees Fahrenheit! But don’t worry…I promise that we will have much warmer temperatures in late July…no need to pack your parka!
Although we have already announced it on Facebook, Instagram, and the Horns on the Horizon website (www.hornsonthehorizon.com), I want to take a moment to tell you about some of the competitions that we have planned for IHCA-IHS 56. The biggest and most notable addition to this year’s programming is the collaboration with the International Horn Competition of America (IHCA), which has been in existence in various iterations for the better part of half-a-century. The 2024 IHCA will happen July 26-29, 2024, overlapping the first day of IHS 56, with the final rounds of both the University and Professional Divisions happening on our opening day. Over the years, winners and finalists from both of these divisions have gone on to establish themselves as some of the best players of their generations, a veritable Who’s Who among horn players! Make plans to witness the newest up-and-coming horn players at the highest level of artistry…quite literally “horns on the horizon!”
On the IHS side of the event, I am excited to announce that we will be hosting a university horn quartet competition as well as a university horn ensemble competition! Anyone who knows me knows how much I value and appreciate all my years of participation in quartets and ensembles and how much those experiences helped shape and mold me and my career. As such, it is incredibly important to me personally to provide opportunities for our younger players and future professionals, giving them the same chances to grow and develop that I had. Specific information will be provided on the IHS 56 website, including repertoire, time requirements, age limits, and other pertinent information. Please note that any and all members of each competing quartet and ensemble will need [1] to be members of IHS as well as [2] to register for the full week of the Symposium.
I would also like to publicly acknowledge Lanette Lopez Compton, horn professor at Oklahoma State University, for agreeing to help us organize these competitions. If you know or know of Lanette, you know how wonderful she is as a performer, teacher, and mentor—not to mention as a friend and colleague! IHS 56 is fortunate to be able to have someone of Lanette’s stature assist us!
