Greetings, and welcome to the June 2022 issue of Horn and More!
As always, Mike Harcrow and his editorial team at Horn and More have assembled a world-class collection of horn knowledge, delivered to your inbox for free! In a world where everyone seems to be selling something, it is heartening to know that this e-newsletter has been created for the sole purpose of sharing information about the horn and horn playing across the globe. If you are a regular reader of Horn and More and/or frequently visit other resources on hornsociety.org, you may be wondering how best to support these initiatives. It’s simple: Join the IHS! In thinking over the various benefits of membership in the IHS, I brainstormed the following list. There are certainly more, but these are some of the big ones for me:
- The International Horn Society Website: The official online home of the IHS, www.hornsociety.org, is a wonderful resource, with lots of great content available to everyone. Whether you peruse the classified ads and job listings, search The Horn Call Index, prepare for auditions using Horn Excerpts, or shop for music using the Online Music Sales page, there is a wealth of information on this site. However, the best content in my opinion is available only to IHS members, including electronic copies of The Horn Call going all the way back to the first issue, and a variety of video content. If you are a frequent visitor to the site but have not yet joined the IHS, consider supporting it through your membership. Organizing, maintaining, and updating a website is no small task, and your membership would help defray some of the costs.
- Thesis Lending Library: This repository of horn-related knowledge and research is one of the most extensive collections available outside of a major university library, and is free for IHS members. A refundable deposit is required to borrow from this library, but it is well worth it.
- Commissions and Competitions: The IHS regularly supports the creation of new works for the horn through its Meir Rimon Commissioning Assistance Fund. If you’ve ever wanted to take part in commissioning new music for the horn but couldn’t acquire the funds, consider joining the IHS and applying for an award from the Meir Rimon Fund. In addition to commissioning assistance, the IHS also hosts a Composition Contest, as well as several scholarship competitions.
- Membership is Relatively Inexpensive: IHS dues are very affordable, especially considering the variety of programs that the organization supports. A student electronic membership is $25 USD annually, which amounts to $2.08 USD a month. I tell my students that if money is keeping them from joining the IHS, consider that forgoing one cup of premium coffee (or other small luxury purchase) per month would more than cover the cost. The IHS Friendship Project offers adjusted one-year regular and electronic memberships to residents of countries based on the United Nations Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI). To view the adjusted rates and see if you qualify for a Friendship Project adjustment, visit The Friendship Project page. A Club Membership discount is available for groups of eight or more members joining together. For more information, contact Membership Coordinator Elaine Braun at membership-coor@hornsociety.org.
- The Horn Call: Published tri-annually in print and electronic format, this is the official journal of the IHS and a great resource and companion to Horn and More. Each issue contains news and reports from around the world, feature articles, recording and music reviews, and fantastic columns. If you aren’t reading The Horn Call, you are missing out!
- Networking/Collegiality/Friendship: Last but not least is the opportunity to meet new colleagues and friends at the annual international symposium, various regional events, and other in-person and virtual interactions. As with any organization of its kind, the IHS brings together numerous backgrounds, interests, and experience levels, with a common thread being a love of the horn. It should also be noted that IHS-affiliated events – festivals, workshops, masterclasses, etc. – do not have to pay for online or print promotion, so long as quality materials are provided. And, in my experience, the IHS is a friendly and welcoming organization, with a history of strong leadership.
I hope this has given you some food for thought, and I encourage all horn players of any level to support our official organization.
James Boldin
IHS Publications Editor
