Interview of the Month - Gabby Giffords
Kristina Mascher-Turner: First of all, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and inspiration with our international horn community! When did you first become involved with music, and what motivated you to choose the horn?
Gabby Giffords: Music has always been an important part of my life. I loved to sing as a child, and I even got to play the role of Annie in my elementary school play. I started playing the French horn in fourth grade and was initially drawn to the instrument because of its beauty. I didn’t know anything about the incredible music it could create before I started learning it.
KMT: At what point did your other passions or commitments cause you to set the horn aside? Was it a difficult decision to make?
GG: After college, I wasn’t able to keep up with the horn. My first job was at a consulting firm in New York that had me working very long hours, and then I moved back to Tucson to run my family’s tire business, which took nearly 100% of my time. I certainly missed playing, but would often listen to classical music to relax.
KMT: You have been beautifully open with the world about your journey and recovery since your life-threatening injury, and your courage and determination shine forth every step of the way. Still, there must have been times when you wondered how you were going to get through another day. Was there a particular inner dialogue that brought you past those moments and back into your strength? What got you through them?
GG: I believe it is always important to keep moving forward, no matter what challenges life throws at you. While my recovery is still a daily struggle, I have learned so much through this journey, like the importance of making time for the people you love and giving back to your community. I have also found great purpose in my work to end gun violence in America.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention how important music was in helping me get through each day. Early in my recovery, when speaking felt impossible, I could still sing parts of American Pie by Don McLean. That really gave me hope, even on the most challenging days.
KMT: What was it that put the horn back into your hands, after so many years? When did you start playing again?
GG: Through each step in my recovery, I’ve tried to challenge myself to do more and regain abilities I once had. My love of music made returning to the French horn a very logical challenge. I started working with an instructor about three years into my recovery.
KMT: Are you studying with a teacher or following any particular method?
GG: I’m working with an instructor who was a professional musician in Germany for thirty years before she retired in Tucson. She wrote me and Mark a letter when she heard I used to play the French horn and offered to help me relearn it. She has been incredible to work with and so patient with me. Like all good teachers, she always pushes me to practice more!
KMT: All horn players, whether amateur, student, teacher, or professional, have times when it drives us up the wall! What has been the most challenging aspect of starting up again for you?
GG: It seems so basic, but the biggest challenge for me was re-learning how to read music. Thankfully, I remembered most of the technical elements of playing.
KMT: Music is one of the greatest tools for healing. What role would you say music has played in your own life, especially throughout your recovery these past several years?
GG: Music has played an incredibly important role in my life and recovery. It has not only helped me keep my spirits up when times are tough, it also helps me express myself when I struggle to find words. Musical intonation has also helped me learn new sentences. In the early days of my recovery, musical therapy was part of my daily routine.
KMT: What music do you listen to at home when you want to feel inspired? What pieces would you love to play yourself?
GG: Whenever I need a burst of energy in the morning, I start my day with 80s music. For inspiration, I usually turn to music from Hamilton. I’ve listened to Hamilton so many times that I know almost all the lyrics. My favorite song to play on the horn is Edelweiss from the Sound of Music. I also love playing anything from Pink Floyd.
Gabrielle Giffords is a former member of the Arizona State Senate and served in the United States House of Representatives. Her life took an unexpected and tragic turn in 2011 when she suffered a grievous head injury from a gunshot wound in an attempt on her life. Since then, her immense courage and openness about her long and arduous recovery is well-documented, and she has continued throughout the years as a political activist and advocate for social justice. Music, and the horn specifically, have played an important role in her life. She is married to former astronaut Mark Kelly and has two daughters. https://giffords.org/
The Gift of New Arrangements for Horn Quartet
by John Lynsdale-Nock
The founding idea of Corniworld Publications was always about having great arrangements of horn music written by horn players in order to best show the versatility and capabilities of the instrument. The recent pandemic and lockdown restrictions around the world have meant that horn players have found themselves, like many others, in isolation and in need of musical projects to focus the mind.
Almost as soon as lockdowns were announced, it was great to see how musicians from around the globe were finding new ways to keep playing with the use of various apps and home recording equipment, producing music either as solo projects or with others. The internet has allowed musicians to collaborate, not just with colleagues, but with players from around the world. It has been incredible to see musicians adapt to this most unprecedented situation. With this in mind, I decided I wanted to contribute in some way within my musical field - the horn community. With just short of 250 horn arrangements in the catalogue I could have sinply advertised the Corniworld Publications website. Instead I decided to use the extra time I found myself with to produce some new horn quartet arrangements. With so many people facing employment difficulties, it seemed only right to offer these for free. Each day after supervising my two children's home schooling, completing my own online teaching timetable and horn practice, I would set up my laptop on the dining table to indulge in my first love: arranging music for horns. It gave me a focus for each day and a great sense of accomplishment when each arrangement came to fruition. This has led to me completing 6 quartets. Once each arrangement was completed I would upload to the website and advertise the piece via social media. All I have asked is that people would post their performances so I could share via my social media platforms. All can be found at https://www.corniworld.com/free-music. I have been fortunate to have had Corniworld Publications music performed around the world, but this is the first time I have been able collect recordings.The growing collection can be seen both on the Corniworld Publications website and Facebook page. The initial idea has now gone a stage further as I'm now collaborating with a "lockdown" horn group from the USA - "The Unofficial, Unnamed Online French Horn Project" organised by Evan James (EJ Young Music - Youtube Channel). They have come together from across the US to perform and record horn ensemble music. They have very kindly agreed to record pieces from the Corniworld catalogue and we are also producing new arrangements, the latest being "Here Comes The Sun" by G Harrison for 8 horns.
John Lynsdale-Nock started playing the horn aged 12 and has been working as a freelance horn player and horn/brass teacher for over 25 years. He started arranging music whilst at school to broaden the repertoire of his brass quintet. His arranging skills continued to develop with works for various brass and horn ensembles. His pieces have been commissioned by The British Horn Society, Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra horn section, Cyprus Symphony Orchestra Brass section, London Symphony Orchestra horn section, the LSO Discovery (education department) and most recently "The Unofficial, Unnamed Online French Horn Project", a group of American horn players who have come together during the Covid-19 lockdown to perform horn ensemble works.
His works have been performed at horn festivals around the world including Montreal Horn Days and The British Horn Society festivals.
IHS Announces Virtual Workshop 2020
Obviously, the cancellation of IHS 52 is disappointing at many levels. In an effort to provide an opportunity to share information that would have been a part of IHS 52, the IHS Advisory Council has approved our first-ever Virtual Workshop!
This workshop will be limited to presentations that were accepted for IHS 52, and the result will be a collection of videos that will be launched on August 2, 2020, the same day as we would all have been able to enjoy them in Eugene. All presenters have been invited to participate, and most of them have agreed!
IHS members can look forward to video sessions on mental health, physical health, horn pedagogy, career issues, and a range of research topics from historical instruments and performing practices to women brass players…FOR FREE! This virtual workshop will be free to all current members. If you are not currently a member, join NOW.
This Virtual Workshop will be available to members for several months and will serve as part of a new planned collection of educational resources on the IHS website. Stay tuned for more updates, and a message will go out to all members announcing the start of our first virtual workshop.
Jeffrey Snedeker, curator
IHS Virtual Workshop 2020
DMV Horn Academy
by Larry Willams
Greetings!
I would like to share a new and exciting project that I have been working on with all of you. I have been teaching horn for over 25 years now both privately and at several music schools including the Peabody Institute and Florida International University. In addition to teaching horn, I perform with several orchestras and chamber ensembles and conduct masterclasses as a Yamaha Performing Artist & Clinician. I have wanted to expand my reach as an educator for some time now, and have just launched DMV Horn Academy.
DMV Horn Academy is a center for innovative teaching and mentoring for horn players who want to grow musically and personally while being a member of a positive and supportive community of learners, teachers, and performers. The academy offers horn lessons to students of all levels of experience in the DC, Maryland, Virginia (DMV) region in the US. Online lessons are also available. In addition to lessons, the academy will host a series of Masterclasses, Workshops and Seminars throughout the year. These offerings will take place at colleges, universities, conservatories, and schools across the US and online as well.
I’m really excited about launching this new model. It is not a formal school. Rather, it is a hub for hornists who are interested in growing musically in a supportive and inclusive community of students, teachers, and clinicians.
I am equally pleased that joining me on the faculty are Amanda Collins, Assistant Professor of Horn at the University of Missouri, and Alberto Suarez, Principal Horn in the Kansas City Symphony Orchestra. Both Amanda and Alberto are phenomenal horn players, fantastic teachers, great people to work with, and former students of mine (very proud). Amanda and Alberto and I will conduct masterclasses, workshops and clinics throughout the year, in person at colleges, universities, conservatories and schools, and online as well.
I am very pleased to announce the DMV Horn Academy Summer Horn Seminar, which will be sponsored by Yamaha, Brass Arts Unlimited and Stephens Custom Horns. We will be offering 2 sessions to be held virtually through Zoom videoconferencing:
| Session 1 | July 27-31 | Middle/High School |
| Session 2 | August 3-7 | College/Amateur/Pro |
Session Descriptions
Warm Up & Fundamentals (M-W)
Each day starts off with a warm up session led by our faculty. Participants will warm up alongside them while discussing warm up routines and fundamentals.
Daily Masterclass (M-W)
From playing techniques to audition preparation and repertoire coaching, our faculty masterclasses will focus on all aspects of horn playing: performance, artistry, mental focus, and other topics.
Workshops & Breakout Sessions (M-W)
Each day, our faculty will lead group conversations on a variety of topics, including: Mental Focus, Auditions, Careers, Marketing, Communication Skills, and more. Small groups will be formed and coached by our faculty to find creative and fun solutions to challenges, and then present their solutions to the rest of the attendees.
Private Lessons (M-F)
All participants will receive 3 (45 minute) private lessons with our horn faculty each session.
If you would like more information about DMV Horn Academy, please visit: www.dmvhornacademy.com. To learn more about the Summer Horn Seminar, please visit: www.dmvhornacademy/seminar.
I hope that you will consider helping us build a great community of horn players.
Cheers!
Graduation in Isolation
by Klayton Schaefer
In May of 2020, I was fortunate enough to graduate with my master’s degree from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music as a student of Denise Tryon. The two years I spent working on this degree were both incredibly challenging and extremely rewarding. In March, like almost every college in the United States, all instruction at CCM moved to distance learning due to the Covid-19 global pandemic. This shift offered up some new and exciting challenges and completely changed every part of my time at school. I had no idea going into it how much this pandemic would change everything I considered to be normal.
At the start of the pandemic, many of my colleagues and I felt overwhelmed by all the drastic changes and measures being taken. When schools started to announce their closures, my entire campus community rushed to retrieve their belongings from lockers and studios not knowing if we would have the chance to return. I tried to remain positive that things would be okay, but being so unsure of the future created a great deal of anxiety. I was sad no longer to have the opportunity to attend my private lessons and classes, perform and work with my colleagues, and go to the numerous events on campus. However, I was comforted to know the school administration and faculty were doing everything that could be done to continue our education as safely as possible.
Going into the pandemic, I was extremely lucky to be living with two fellow CCM horn players. Having these friends helped immensely as we would often warm up and play duets, trios, and orchestral passages together. With the aid of Zoom, I was able to connect with a wider group of friends from CCM and others across the country. Together, we warmed up and chatted about horn history and pedagogy on countless video calls. Being able to connect with these musicians made the end of my degree special.
One of the biggest disappointments during this transition was the cancellation of my master’s recital. I was excited to be able to share the music into which I had put months of work. At first, we were given the possibility of performing to an empty hall, but it quickly became obvious that even this was not a safe option. After careful consideration, Denise and I decided to cancel my recital. This decision certainly left me unsatisfied, but I am hopeful for the day when I can perform another recital. On a positive note, one of the benefits to come from canceling my recital was the opportunity to work on aspects of my playing that Denise and I felt we did not have the time to cover prior to the pandemic. This allowed me to direct focus toward the playing of etudes and fundamental exercises. It felt nice to have the chance to slow everything down and truly focus with no distractions.
The biggest academic requirement I had to finish during the pandemic was passing an oral board. The oral board is a presentation on the history of the horn, its pedagogy, and its mechanics. Thankfully, Denise made preparation as streamlined as possible by providing many opportunities to study the materials with her and another graduate student. The test itself was completed on Zoom during finals week and once it was done, I had officially completed my degree. The immediate feeling of relief and joy was overwhelming. I will always remember hearing Denise tell me I was officially a Master of music.
Graduating during this time is certainly an experience I will not forget. This pandemic has changed everything we consider to be normal and has made me appreciate the times I spent with all of my teachers, friends, and colleagues at CCM. I was so lucky to spend two amazing years studying with Denise, working with so many wonderful horn players, and exploring as much music as possible. I cannot wait for the day when I can celebrate in person with all of the wonderful people I have met. Congratulations to the entire class of 2020!
A native of Upstate New York, hornist Klayton Schaefer is an active teacher, orchestral, and chamber musician. As a freelance performer, he has played with ensembles in New York state and Ohio, including the Orchestra of Northern New York, Schenectady Symphony Orchestra, and the Northern Symphonic Winds. An active chamber musician, Klayton has played with the Potsdam Brass Quintet, Frackenpohl Brass Quintet, and in collaboration with the Canadian Brass. He has been in masterclasses and coachings with Frøydis Ree Wekre, Bernhard Scully, Anthony Plog, David Wakefield, Joe Alessi, and Lisa Conway.
Klayton completed his Master of Music degree in Horn Performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Horn Performance from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam. His primary horn instructors include Denise Tryon, Elizabeth Freimuth, Lauren Becker, and Joshua Thompson.
We Are….Horns United!!!!
by Marc Lumley
It is 11:56 pm as I begin typing. I cannot remember the last time I hit the pillow before 1am and I’m enjoying every second of it. I am Marc Lumley and many people call me the founder of Horns United. Not so much, as we start each show I explain that this is a group effort, and without divine inspiration, we could not have done it. Done what? Established a fledgling multi-national charitable organization that showcases the finest hornists on the planet in masterclasses with students ranging from beginners to aspiring pros, all to raise money to donate to charities and hospitals that are providing Covid-19 relief. We hornists come from a hunting tradition and I, frankly, was tired of being the hunted. So what was I told to do?
Contact David Cooper! This was in late March when the shelter-in-place orders were about a week old. I asked David to do a Zoom masterclass, fully expecting to be graciously rejected, when I heard him say, “Sure Marc, what do you need?” With that, Horns United was born and has grown exponentially since. I reached out to more hornists around the world, and before I knew it we had a Dream Team. “The Section” is Michael Gast-Principal, Ellen Dinwiddie Smith-3rd, Minnesota, Scott Strong-3rd, Detroit, Peter Rubins-2nd, San Antonio, Robert Johnson-Associate, Houston, Kristy Morrell-2nd, LA Chamber, Benjamin Jaber-Principal, Douglas Hall-4th, San Diego, David Heyde-Associate and Acting Principal, Dallas, James Ferree-Principal, Matthew Wilson-2nd, St. Paul Chamber, Robert Ward-Principal, Jonathan Ring-2nd, San Francisco, Tod Bowermaster-3rd, St.Louis, Erik Ralske-Principal, The Met, Frøydis Ree Wekre-Co-Principal (retired) Oslo, Emma Gregan-tutti, Adelaide, Australia, William Caballero-Principal, Pittsburgh, Richard Todd-Recording Artist, Jennifer Montone-Principal, Jeffrey Lang-Associate, Philadelphia, Jaclyn Rainey-Associate, Los Angeles, Rachel Childers-2nd, Boston Symphony, The Virtuoso Duo-Kerry Turner and Kristina Mascher-Turner and Javier Bonet-Ayuda de Solista, Orquesta Nacional de España. And growing….
That’s the shortest history I can give you. So what, you wonder, do we do to achieve our philanthropic goals? We charge a small fee for our Master Series classes that meet most Thursdays and Saturdays. Simple really. We set out to provide some fun time for hornists who are all locked down. We did the normal but in an abnormal venue, the cell phone. By now we all have experienced the joy of teaching via Skype, FaceTime or Zoom. Yes it is limited and, at times, very frustrating but without it right now, where would we be? Standing outside students homes listening to their lessons through an open window? No thank you. So we made a decision, embrace the situation and concentrate and improve upon what we COULD do and ignore what we couldn’t do. This has become amazingly successful for us. Claude, our microphone and ‘net expert has been figuring out how to get water out of a rock by using combinations of settings that go well beyond what have been tried previously. This was because he was expanding on what he could achieve. It’s working! I also think that the audience is listening more intently. The aforementioned Claude is one of the most critical listeners I know and even he is starting to be somewhat satisfied with what we’re getting.
Also we are telling the artists, “Innovate, do something you’ve always wanted to in a masterclass, we are here to do our best to deliver your package.” If we have to be so limited then, by God, let’s have as much fun as we can! Besides being his wonderful self, Erik Ralske was ready for Q&A with charts and demos and all sorts of engaging things that sent the program a little over 30 minutes long! Everyone stayed too because it got juicy! That’s what we want. Defeating the limitations by maximizing our strengths. We also tell everyone, “We want the audience to not think of you as the person in formal wear 250 feet away concentrating like mad… but rather, be like them. Kerry Turner and Kristina Mascher-Turner performed in flip flops and bare feet! Michael Gast did this triple tongue arpeggiated part of his warm up at light speed and then give them that grin of his and the looks were all jaws on the ground. Priceless! But everyone is walking away having learned a tremendous amount and having fun in the process. Our audience varies from middle school beginners to seasoned pros, and they keep coming back for more.
Now we have Cor Camp. We/I am obsessing over it and want it to be a huge success. We are expanding our template to a blocked out schedule running from 8:30am US central to 4:30 pm US central. We exist solely to raise money for charity so we suggest a donation of $145.00. With that you not only have the opportunity to learn from the very best but you get to see Bill Caballero zoom in driving his convertible or eat popcorn while listening to a round table with Eldon Matlick or listen to the greatest names in the business tell you they get nervous too and then give strategies to help get past them. But the two most important things your $145.00 does are save lives and develop a vaccine.
Yes, I know there are places doing this for free this summer and I applaud them for their generosity. But WE want to stop this horrible virus, how else are we going to get back into full concert halls or football stadiums? We won’t even be able to rehearse properly! And forget opera and broadway, with the projection of singers? They’ll all be in hazmat suits! No! The future of our craft, our love, is dependent on everyone doing their part to rid the world of covid 19. Playing your horn or washing cars, what does it matter. People do carwash fundraisers all the time. We play horn.
To close we are presenting the hopeful, exuberant finale from Gustav Mahler’s Symphony #1 with our “Mahler 1 Heard Round The World” event. We will have all musicians interested playing it as hard as they can. Horn, harpsichord, it makes no difference as long as we bring joy. We will need organizers to get permissions to go into parks, city hall steps and deploy with proper social distances. The venue doesn’t matter with a group of hornists.
Finally, we are looking to the future. We fund infectious disease research and will continue to do so because this isn’t the last one. We want to help with preparations. So we are looking at making our organization grow and expand our skill set. But that’s a surprise and a subject for another article. Meantime, we are doing our Cor Camp fundraiser starting June 8th. Details are at www.horns-united.com. Please consider helping or joining us. And remember,
For The Love Of Music, For The Love Of Mankind,
We are…HORNS UNITED!!!!
God bless you all,
Marc Lumley
Marc Lumley is Principal Horn of The Symphony of the Hills in Kerrville, Texas and Co-Principal Horn of The Mozart Festival, Texas. He is a retired band director, and former Air Force Band member. Marc is a very active private teacher and, as his students say, his “Cult of Lumley” has enjoyed great success. His studio has produced multiple Texas All State players for 26 consecutive years. Marc studied with legendary Texas horn instructor, Leland Sharrock in High School. He attended the University of Texas where he studied the great Wayne Barrington. Winning his Air Force position moved him to Los Angles where he had the privilege of studying with James Decker and Richard Todd. After realizing he wanted more of a family life he left full time playing to become a music educator. Returning to college at The University of Texas a San Antonio he studied with Beth and David Mairs and ultimately with Bruce Gifford. He enjoys running with his wife Monica, running after his grandson Atlas and running to see his sons, Claude and wife Julie, and Hayden and wife Brandi.
