by Inman Hebert
Greetings, members of the horn community! As chair of the International Horn Society Student Advisory Council, I am honored to write about a new project, the Horn Lesson Opportunity (HLO) Program. A program created by students for students, HLO will enable a few students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds who are under the age of eighteen to gain the opportunity for a year of lessons with members of the International Horn Society Advisory Council.
What sparked the creation of the HLO program? The story begins with the reformation of the International Horn Society Student Advisory Council in early 2024. While the SAC serves to add a younger perspective to IHS Advisory Council meetings, we found ourselves asking what else we could do to impact the horn community, specifically the students we represent. In addition to offering advice, we decided to develop our own project, with the generous support of the IHS Advisory Council.
When considering how to best make an impact, one issue repeatedly came up: the barriers that accompany the study of music. Personally, I grew up and received my early music education in the state of Alabama, far from the wealthiest state in the USA. The majority of schools here expect students to purchase their own horns. Even middle-class households may struggle to buy an entry level horn with payment plans (which frequently extend three or more years) to fit into household budgets. Another barrier exists with most band directors having limited time and resources to mentor young horn players individually; this further impedes learning one of the hardest instruments.
While university music schools and non-profit organizations offer programs to benefit their communities, the SAC felt that the International Horn Society, in making its own contribution, acknowledges that motivated musicians throughout the world who have potential frequently lack opportunities to develop their skills.
Because the horn has so many intricacies, lessons are crucial in aiding young players in their journeys; but many students who may have a desire for lessons cannot afford them. Having seen these struggles, the SAC developed the HLO program as a path for a few of these students.
Any student under the age of eighteen can apply. The application can be found under the programs tab of the International Horn Society website during November. I would ask our readers to reach out to a student who shows motivation and proficiency on the horn but lacks the resources to hire a music teacher to help them develop their skills.
This project serves the core mission of the International Horn Society to share knowledge and foster a greater appreciation of the horn, and it recognizes the financial barriers some starting out in our field might face. We can only move forward with the support of the IHS Advisory Council volunteering their time and expertise to give passionate students this chance. With time and funding, we eventually hope to turn HLO into a sustainable, international program serving horn students.
