by Myrddin Rees Davies
Hello everybody,
Those of you who follow the IHS on social media may have seen that our story was rather busy during IHS 56! For those who couldn’t make it, here’s a collection of photo highlights showing what an IHS Symposium looks like.
It goes without saying that, with so many wonderful events over the course of the five days, there is not nearly enough space to squeeze photos of everything into one report, and I hope nobody feels left out. I have tried to present symposium highlights rather than a documentation of everything that happened.
We would, of course, like to reiterate a huge thank you to the literal hundreds of wonderful guest artists, lecturers, competitors, exhibitors, organisers, and participants who made this such a success.
Day 1
Day 1 of an IHS Symposium is always special, whether you’re an established veteran meeting up with old friends or a “newbie” attending for the first time, it’s a unique feeling to arrive on campus and discover all that’s in store for you over the coming days.
This year, in addition to the usual opening concert, exhibit halls, lectures, and recitals, participants were in for a special treat: the first ever collaboration between the IHS and the International Horn Competition of America saw the finals of the IHCA’s University and Professional divisions.
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Exhibits, panel talks, lectures, performances, competitions…IHS 56 had it all!
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Day 2
Day 1 had set the bar high, but day 2 showed no signs of slowing! The day started with warmups and the Octet Horn Ensemble Competition, and among its many highlights were a performance by the US Airforce Academy Band, the University Horn Quartet and Jazz Competitions, and lectures on everything from the natural horn in fin-de-la siècle Paris to how to best select a mouthpiece.
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The featured artist concert with the US Air Force Academy Band on Day Two
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A panel from the Chromatic Brass Collective discussed their experiences and wonderful work that they do with their group
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Participants immersed in another wonderful lecture
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Day 3
Day 3 started with an important fixture of the annual calendar: the General Meeting. (IHS members, by now, you will have received a link to a video recording of this meeting, report documents, and details of how to get in touch with suggestions and other comments you may have).
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Outgoing President Radegundis Feitosa hosts the general meeting
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Embracing social media is more and more important fopr horn players of today - as Scott Leger explained in his lecture
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Featured artist Radovan Vlatković in recital
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Day 4
Massed horn choirs, the Premier Soloist competition, masterclasses from featured artists, and, of course, several lectures were all features of day 4. Part of the evening was dedicated to recently-departed horn legend Hermann Baumann, with a lecture on his relationship with the natural horn by Anneke Scott before featured artists took to the stage for the Hermann Baumann memorial concert.
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The NUCORNO ensemble performed an arrangement of Holst's The Planets
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IHS Symposiums can be a space for unusual collaborations!
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Participants making the most of the Fort Collins sunshine
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Featured artists in the Hermann Baumann memorial concert
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Day 5
All good things must come to an end, and IHS Symposiums are no exception…but at least they come around once a year. It's a pleasure to share this year’s wonderful group photo, with a very full stage of happy horn players from all over the world.
If you couldn’t make it and looking at these photos is making you feel left out, don’t worry—check out details of IHS 57 below!
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Our wonderful IHS Community!
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