Meet the People—Katy Carnaggio, Horn and More Columnist
by Katy Carnaggio
It might sound a little unusual, but it all started the day my best friend cracked her head open playing Ghost in the Graveyard. Let's set the scene.
I was a fifth grader in elementary school, and my class was learning about different musical instruments to prepare for band enrollment. While our future director enthusiastically extolled each instrument’s virtues, we secretly cast our votes: cool, uncool, and “is that even an instrument?!” Our silent ballot was in full swing.
One day, we were ushered into the gymnasium to try them out. Painfully shy, I panicked as I saw my classmates gather around the fan favorites.
That’s when I saw the horn: uncool, not even an instrument, and gloriously ignored. I quickly tried it for my band director. Luckily, playing felt natural, and he was excited that we had found an immediate fit. Feeling too timid to try anything else, I promised myself I’d take a shot at something cooler that night at parent-teacher conferences. With mom at your side, you can do anything!
But I missed the meeting. Fast forward through an after-school game gone wrong, and there we were: my best friend, now an emergency room VIP thanks to a headfirst dive into adventure (and bushes), and me, her loyal sidekick, swearing eternal friendship even if she didn’t make it—while a nurse desperately fought back giggles as she administered two stitches.
Dale Clevenger often asked, “Why did you pick the horn?” The anticipated and often true answer is because we love the sound. But for me? I chose horn because of connection. Initially, it was through an act of solidarity with my friend. I chose it again because my “sectionals” were hilarious one-on-one lessons with my band director. (Believe it or not, nobody else wanted to play a “Christmas ornament.”) And now, I choose the horn because it remains the most honest and sincere way that I connect with others.
We think so much about mastering the horn that we forget it’s an instrument for something far greater. Don’t get me wrong. Anybody who reads “Research to Resonance” knows I’m obsessed with mastery. I tailored my doctoral studies to specialize in skill acquisition. I spend each morning exploring research insights through my practice. Then I get to go to my pinch-me job at the Jacobs School of Music creating performance education materials, reviewing recitals, and planning workshops—all aimed at helping students advance their abilities.
But human connection in your music must come first. An impressive high range is only powerful if you use it to express emotional depth. And a great sound is only captivating if you have something genuine to say. And a performance is only memorable If your ideas are clear and direct. If you forget connection, music can quickly become uninteresting, forgettable, and not to mention, way harder to make.
So, when you struggle to look beyond the horn and the challenges it can inspire, the International Horn Society is our first-line defense to get connected to those who also decided to play “not-even-an-instrument.” Whether through this Newsletter, The Horn Call, regional workshops, or global symposiums, we are surrounded by extraordinary individuals ready to share invaluable lessons.
To start, here are five things I’ve learned from my major teachers. To meet me is to meet the people who deeply matter to me, after all.
Paulette Velazquez—College of Dupage
Instead of: Comparing yourself to others and judging yourself for the ways you feel you fall short….
Try this: Remember, it’s not about where you are; it’s about where you’re going. Set a direction, believe you will get there, and take the next step.
Randall Faust—Western Illinois University (BM)
Instead of: Believing you’re not important until you’ve “made it….”
Try this: Know that you can learn something from everyone. Seeking the lesson in every handshake and the story behind every face enriches your knowledge and builds a community where everyone is valued.
Jeff Powers—Baylor University (MM)
Instead of: Feeling stuck because you’re tired/doubtful/confused/too-happy-to-focus/totally depressed/have standards that are too high/have standards that are too low/basically-anything-ever….
Try this: Show love through action. Love, when consistently expressed through actions marked by diligence, integrity, and devotion, inspires deep and lasting transformation.
Dale Clevenger—Indiana University (DM)
Instead of: Allowing personal losses or hardship to distance you from music….
Try this: Put it all on the horn. Happiness, heartbreak, excitement, longing…explore it all through your music.
Katy Woolley—Present Mentor
Instead of: Trying to fix everything by focusing on your flaws….
Try this: Recognize that safety isn’t a place, it’s a presence. Creating a reliable presence within yourself built upon unconditional acceptance and positive belief enables you to act with the courage you need to aim higher and venture further than you ever thought possible.
