by Inman Hebert
As we prepare to begin a new academic year, I surveyed five horn professors about what they wished their students would know coming into college and asked for some general suggestions as students prepare for a major in music.
Dr. Jennifer Ratchford Sholtis, Professor of Horn, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, described the expectations a “fresh-faced freshman” would ideally bring with them to “tackle both the horn and academic worlds.”
“On the horn front, they've got a clear tonal concept, can breeze through major scales, their range hits a solid F2 all the way up to a C6, and their natural horn lip slurs flow like a river.
But it's not just about the music. To succeed at college life, they manage their time well, sticking to set schedules. They are fueled by their own ambition, never backing down from a challenge, and they have high standards when it comes to schoolwork. Plus, they have an insatiable curiosity, always wanting to dive deeper into whatever crosses their paths.
That's the dream combo for a freshman ready to take on both the horn and the college world.”
Bernhard Scully concurs in the need for “time management skills, general musicianship skills—including improvisational and compositional skills, writing skills, and interdisciplinary skills.”
Other professors reflected on exposure to musical concepts. Johanna Lundy, observes that “many high school students don’t have experience reading in bass clef or working with transposition.” She recommends starting “on both early for an easier transition to college.”
Desiring students to be ready with a “good background of major scales beyond the standard patterns” and an understanding of “basic [music] theory knowledge and vocabulary” underpinned the comments from Lanette López Compton. She also believes that “knowledge of repertoire from orchestral to solo, because it’s so accessible, would show genuine curiosity in a student.”
Dr. Martin D. King emphasized the word musicianship. “Basic musicianship is more important to me than specific skills on the horn. Being able to sight-read, play scales and arpeggios, and ensemble skills set students up for success. The specific horn skills and techniques are so much easier to teach if students are strong musicians.”
When asked about their suggestions for students, many thoughts centered around managing time. Johanna Lundy emphasizes this skill:
“Time management is another challenge for students transitioning into college. You think that you will have lots of free time! But it’s really just more unstructured time—if you spend it doing your assignments, you’ll be fine! If not, things will pile up quickly as the semester goes on. Start by creating a regular practice schedule and enter the times into your calendar. It’s easier to get the work done when it is visible in your schedule.”
Bernhard Scully asserts, “Music is a practiced art, and it is important to establish a consistent routine for practice.”
“Students need to embrace [a] ‘pay now, play later’ mindset. That means hitting the books and the practice room before chillin' with your buddies, diving into your favorite video game, or burrowing into your bed for a nap!” Dr. Jennifer Ratchford Sholtis
Some comments centered on the demands of college. “I know a lot of students who were surprised by how challenging music theory and piano proficiency classes could be. Any time you can put into these subjects before college will make things easier for you! For those already in college, don’t be afraid to ask for help if you don’t understand a theory concept. Bonus: taking piano lessons will help you learn about and better understand music theory.” Johanna Lundy
Others articulated the need for students to press beyond the familiar. “Read something that is new every day. Sight-reading should just be every-day reading of music. Always play something you are good at and love to play…but most of each session should be working on something new and not exactly comfortable. Spend time working on parts of playing that need attention, especially if you have the tools to do it.” Lanette López Compton
“A little nugget of wisdom: if something scares you, that's probably the exact thing you need to tackle head-on. It's all about pushing past those comfort zones.” Dr. Jennifer Ratchford Sholtis
The responses also included a helpful reminder to stay focused on our goals. “Plaster your goals all over your room. Make them impossible to ignore when you roll out of bed in the morning. Then, break them into smaller mini-goals that'll keep you on track to achieving those big dreams.” Dr. Jennifer Ratchford Sholtis
While focusing on goals, others prompted students to remember the importance of the journey. “Listen to lots of music, play in every possible different type of ensemble. Also, be patient. Learning to play the horn will take a lot of time. Students should focus more on practicing the right things every day and trust that the results will come in time.” Dr. Martin D. King
“School is a place where one can gain a broad perspective on music and begin to explore in many areas. My suggestion is to practice your horn as much as you are reasonably able to…get your playing fundamentals under control and get as broad an understanding of music as possible, ideally combining with a double major or as much comprehensive schooling and cross-discipline as possible to prepare oneself for the rapidly evolving landscape of the 21st century.” Bernhard Scully
Acknowledgments
Dr. Martin D. King, Assistant Professor of Horn, Washington State University
Lanette López Compton, Professor of Horn, Oklahoma State University
Johanna Lundy, Associate Professor of Horn, The University of Arizona
Dr. Jennifer Ratchford Sholtis, Professor of Horn, Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Bernhard David Scully, Horn Soloist, Artistic Director of Cormont Music and the Kendall Betts Horn Camp, Associate Professor at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, former horn of Canadian Brass
