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This volume commemorating the 50th anniversary of the International Horn Society is presented in a format befitting such a celebration. The book combines photos and other visual aspects found in coffee table books with narrative historical accounts of the formation of the society and its activities over its first half-century. The book has a faux leather cover and 256 full color pages, covering all workshops and symposia, publications, commissioning programs and projects, scholarships and other programs, and a look at the people that make up the IHS community. A special section for our business supporters is also included.
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Symposium Reports - IHS LA 2015
What initially struck me about IHSLA was the superb organisation of our hosts Annie Bosler and Andrew Bain – the efficient staff, the Colburn School and the many varied and superb venues, the detailed and comprehensive schedule of events and the impressive line-up of featured artists. That was just for starters. As a “seasoned professional” and many times a featured artist myself, I have experienced both unsuccessful and successful Symposia over the years and was therefore both interested and excited in the build-up to IHSLA. An added interesting to me was how this event would impress my 14-year old step-daughter – who, although coming from a musical family on both sides, was at her very first Horn Symposium. On speaking with her about the week, she said that what delighted her most was watching and hearing the great players, then meeting them afterwards – the people, like Andrew Bain and Sarah Willis, whom she had seen on the TV and were here in person – and then amongst us chatting and having a laugh. The Berlin Phil horns was especially interesting for her coming from Germany and having a father who plays principal double bass in the Essen Philharmonic. Los Angeles was a wonderful venue and held many more attractions that just the IHS Horn Symposium – which for a 14-year old, having first-hand knowledge of how much of the world of film and TV come from this part of the world was an added bonus and one that fulfilled all expectations. LA 2015 will be one Symposium my family and I will not forget in an hurry and my thanks and due respect go to primarily Annie Bosler, with Andrew and the team behind her who worked together in making this event such a resounding success – congratulations to you all.
Cheers,
Frank Lloyd
The IHS Symposium in Los Angeles was a marvelous experience. This year I was there as a member of the Advisory Council and not as a guest artist. So for me there was a lot of time to hear so many very interesting programs. Of course it was not possible to go to every recital or concert. So many very good players, too many to mention them all. For me it was so good to see again Yu-Ting Su; for me: Tina Su. She was a student during my first master class in Taiwan in 1992. Very gifted already and now she brought a new CD called Watercolors. She played a very good recital with several pieces of this album. Great to see somebody after 23 years, doing so well. Some concerts I have to mention and really were highlights of the symposium. The concert with Arkady Shilkloper, Stefan de Level Jezierski, and the fantastic Big Band of Gordon Goodwin. Such a great pleasure to hear the horn in another way than we hear it normally. Then the tribute to the Los Angeles Horn Club at the Los Angeles Theatre. To hear James Thatcher during this great concert was a very special gift. The concert at the Hollywood Bowl with the Schumann Konzertstück, played by Stefan Dohr, Andrew Bain, Tim Jones, and Sarah Willis was an outstanding performance. Andrew, who organised the symposium together with Annie Bosler, did also a great job in the same program with Till Eulenspiegel of Richard Strauss. Besides many great artists like Julie Landsman and Jennifer Montone, I was very impressed by the horn quartet of the Berlin Philharmonic. Stefan Dohr, Andrej Žust, Stefan de Level Jezierski, and Sarah Willis played two great concerts. I was impressed that they came as a quartet to LA after a very busy year with the Berlin Philharmonic. A great chance once in a life time for many of the visitors to hear this beautiful ensemble – thank you Stefan, Andrej, Stefan, and Sarah. Last but not least, thanks to Annie and Andrew who did an incredible lot of work and organising for this great workshop. You can be sure, Annie and Andrew, that everyone who was there will never forget this event, which the two of you made possible for all of us.
Ab Koster
Hamburg, August 27, 2015
The highlight to me, because of the venue and the atmosphere, was the concert in the Hollywood Bowl, For a Welshman to experience all that, following what I knew of the work that Alf Brain did there was amazing. On the recital side, the playing of Stefan Dohr was amazing, and also that of Andrej Žust (this guy is some player – good musician too). Sara was great, solid, and dependable on fourth. I know I have “gone“ for the BPO, but this time they were outstanding, better than the London performances. I will not associate “Nessun Dorma”any more with Pavarotti, but with the last “scream” of Stefan Jezierski. Ha, Ha. I didn’t go much into the area of mouthpieces and exhibits. The work that Annie had put in was amazing. I know Bain was in the title, but the day to day running was totally down to Annie, and she was superb. The Colburn was a blessing – we had everything on one site, everything was so close and convenient (well, except the Hollywood Bowl, Japanese Cultural Center, and Los Angeles Theater). I don’t know why they had to go to other theatres (apart from the Bowl) when they had the Colburn Halls? It is going to be, in total, one hell of a Symposiun to follow. Said enough now. Ha – Ha.
Sincerely,
L8 (Leighton Jones)
IHSLA was fanatastic! It was so great I didn’t get to see anything I wanted to do while I was there! I had a very ambitious program of seeing the beach, the Walk of Fame, Beverly Hills and maybe the desert close by. Instead, I spent my whole days listening to great horn playing, new pieces, old pieces played in a new way, great talks, ideas that changed my approach to teaching and playing, concerts of awesome bands, orchestras, chamber music groups and just horn players. But above all, I found a united community of people who share the same love as I do for the magnificent sound of a musical instrument! I just can’t wait for next year!!!
Best wishes,
Louis-Philippe Marsolais
IHS 46 - London, 2014
It is difficult to write a Horn Symposium report – one carries expectations of performances and exhibits, but there were the smells and the sights unrelated to Symposium (a goldplated Ferrari), and the unscheduled conversations at breakfast, in a hallway, or even, this year, at a pub. Getting to the Imperial College in London was difficult for many – the long walk through the Heathrow airport, the longer lines for Tube ticket, and then the hike from the South Kensington station to the site. Upon arrival, however, we found the facilities in close proximity. The Imperial College, the facility host Jonathan Stoneman chose for the Symposium is not a music school but a technical school, so the performance halls were large classrooms – Jonathan bought enough wire stands for an orchestra! While the venue may not have been ideal for a music convention, it was excellent for easy access to exhibits, a dining room, dormitories, and lecture halls.
The weather was cool, it rained a bit, and the dorm rooms were tiny but comfortable. Breakfasts were eaten in a large dining room with students and participants from several conferences – the food was the same every morning but there was a good variety and plenty to eat. IHS participants could buy a meal package or fend for themselves for lunch and dinner. With a little searching, one could find both expensive and very reasonable food in the area.
The Symposium opened on Monday morning August 11 with horn choirs from the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal Northern Academy performing both jointly and separately in an enjoyable concert. The first afternoon recital featured Andrew Pelletier and Richard Watkins playing only new works – all difficult but well performed. The New York Philharmonic horn section then played arrangements of US pop and show tunes (trombone arrangements transcribed for horns). Because that recital went long many of us missed the following interview and a presentation by John Cox (Oregon). At 4 p.m. the Bergen Philharmonic horn quintet performed arrangements of Norwegian music followed by the American Horn Quartet performing Turner’s Third Quartet and West Side Story arrangement. Ensemble competitions followed. The evening BBC Proms concert featured the BBC National Orchestra of Wales – many Symposium attendees attended that concert standing with many joining the hundreds standing in front of the orchestra for £5!
Each morning began with a warm-up and advice on testing horns from a different clinician – Tuesday it was Eli Epstein. Simultaneous lecturers on the Alexander Technique by Kerin Black and Technology in Performance and Teaching by Lydia van Dreel were presented at 10 am. The 11 am performance by the Japan Horn Society, Horn Pure (Thailand), and Mallet Horn Jazz Band was moved to a smaller lecture room, so many stood in the back and side aisles. For many, the highlight of three fine performances was Horn Pure, an eight-member group of young hornists from Thailand who performed difficult repertoire with precision, accuracy, and a sense that they were having fun. Nick Smith presented a lecture concerning the European influence of American horn sections at noon, which was overlapped by the 11 am performance. Simultaneously, Ian O’Brien spoke on hearing damage to horn players. The 1 p.m. performance began with two solo pieces performed by Dylan Hart (LA), followed by Brazilian Radegundis Travares performing works with piano from his country’s composers. That “hour” concluded with a spectacular performance by the Budapest Festival Horn Quartet – a major highlight in this reviewer’s opinion. At 3 p.m. one could choose from a Spanish Brass master class on quintet playing or a lecture on the influence of Louis Dufrasne on the US by Jeroen Billiet. At the 4 p.m. hour we heard three works for horn and chamber orchestra conducted by Michael Thompson – Alec Frank-Gemmill beautifully rendered Butterworth’s Romanza, Ab Kostser performed a flawless Mozart Concerto No. 2, and Frank Lloyd concluded with a brilliant performance of Gordon Jacob’s Concerto. Unfortunately, Zdenek Divoky was ill and could not perform. Following that recital Jeff Nelsen presented his lecture on Fearlessness. The evening BBC proms concert was again the BBC National Orchestra of Wales performing the music of Peter Maxwell Davies, Walton, and Sibelius.
Wednesday opened with another warm-up with Ilene Chanon, followed by a lecture on the Viennese Sound Concept with Gergely Sugar, against another Alexander Technique session with Black. Because Zdenek Divoky was ill, the Czech-American Duo with Steven Gross was not able to perform on the 11 am concert but the South Queensland horn ensemble stepped in with a contemporary work followed by the American Horn Quartet’s rendition of Tippett’s Sonata. At noon there were three simultaneous lectures by Engelbert Schmid (acoustics and craftsmanship), Tiffany Damicone (Bohemian Singing Sound), and Vincent Andrieux (French horn players from 1899- 1929). The 1 p.m. recital featured the two excellent Hawkins Competition winners, Ana Beatriz Menezes and László Gál. A Japan Horn Ensemble then played Eric Ewazen’s Bridge of Dreams (with the composer present), followed by the Jim Rattigan Trio (horn, violin, piano) performing works from his latest jazz CD. There were two events at 2 p.m. and if you didn’t make it into Sarah Willis’s Horn Hangout with Terry Johns by 2 p.m. it was streamed without you. Randy Gardner reminded us of our practice fundamentals at 3 p.m. The 4 p.m. recital was again spectacular featuring the Spanish Brass who performed a plethora of music from all sorts of genres over 45 minutes from memory, and Trompas Lusas, who belted out an amazing assortment of quartets. At 7:30 p.m. a one-man, one-act play inspired by Jasper Rees’s book was performed. The sole actor, Jonathan Guy-Lewis, did an outstanding job with all sorts of “in” horn humor and actually performed the second and third movements of Mozart’s Concerto, K. 447 as Rees may have, improving as he went along. It was an outstanding and moving performance.
Thursday began with either a guided warm-up with Martin Lawrence or a lecture by Randall Faust on the history of the IHS Composition Contest. At 10 a.m. John Humphries lectured on 19th-century horn players in London against another Alexander Technique presentation by Black. The 11 a.m. performance was unfortunately moved to a venue that could not seat the crowd. Here a group of trompes-de-chasse led by British Horn Society President Chris Larkin performed works by the Dampiere and Kling. Ensemble Mengal from Belgium then performed octets for six natural horns and two trombones by Mengal to stirring applause. Natural horn virtuoso Anneke Scott played last due to the fact that her train had been delayed that morning. She did not disappoint with a flawless performance of variations on a Donizetti melody for horn and piano. When she discovered the last page missing from her stand, she turned and read from the piano part – those of us close enough were treated to an exotic hand display in her bell. The noon hour included another presentation by Eli Epstein about “finger breathing” opposite one in a series of interviews during the week by Tony Catterick. Unfortunately Anthony Halstead was not able to attend due to illness. At 1 p.m. we heard horn duets with Anneke Scott and Joseph Walters, the group of British players again, this time on Vienna horns, performing works by Weber. Jean-Pierre Dassonville performed an Intermezzo by Dupont on a six-piston-valve instrument made by Adolphe Sax – impressive! Likewise was the performance of Gallay’s Quartet for four horns in four keys led by Anneke Scott – brilliant! At 2 p.m. there was a lecture by Jeffrey Snedeker on the nineteenth-century Paris Conservatoire followed at 3 p.m. by either a master class with Anneke Scott or a panel led by Daren Robbins on alternative careers in music. The 4 p.m. performance began with Jeffrey Snedeker playing Weber’s Concertino on natural horn followed by the Ensemble Mengal, this time performing on piston-valved instruments the music of Ryeland and Dubios – very impressive. 5 p.m. was a light-hearted duet presentation by Sarah Willis and Klaus Wallendorf of the Berlin Philharmonic advertising their new CD. The British Horn Society held their annual general meeting between the duet presentation and the 7 p.m. orchestra concert. This concert began with Ligeti’s seldom heard Hamburg Concerto performed by Andrew Pelletier, followed by Richard Watkins in a performance of Colin Mathews’ concerto. The final work on the program was a rousing rendition of Schumann’s Konzertstück with the New York Philharmonic horn section. The Proms concert that evening included works by Sibelius, P. M. Davies, and Bridge, performed by the BBC Philharmonic.
Friday’s warm-up hornist was Tim Thorpe of the BBC Wales Orchestra, followed with simultaneous lectures by Peter Kurau (Transference Learning) and Kerin Black (Alexander Technique). The 11 a.m. recital feature Bernardo Silva, Rose French, and the Budapest Festival Horn Quartet. The quartet performed the Schneider and Hübler Concerti for four horns. At noon a quartet from the Berlin Philharmonic performed light-hearted quartets mostly arranged by Wallendorf, to the enjoyment of the audience. That concert began and ended late so the picnic at the Albert Memorial in Kensington Park, about ten minutes walk from the Imperial College, also began late. There was a quickly assembled performance of the Liberty Bell March for soloists and massed horn choir (music clipped on the lanyards for the person behind to read). Due to dark clouds and a bit of rain, the concert was called after about 10 minutes. While the participants ate a sack lunch, Horn Pure from Thailand and two quartets performed, one from South Texas that had won the quartet competition. The Symposium ended with Tim Thorpe performing with piano, the South Queensland horn choir, and then the Budapest and American Quartets joining for two Kerry Turner works, ending with Bronze Triptych by Turner for 12 horns and percussion. The IHS general meeting ensued followed by the BBC Scottish Symphony at the Proms, ending the day with a rousing Ein Heldenleben.
Thanks to Jonathan Stoneman for a superb week, well-planned, and well-executed. For he’s a jolly good fellow!
IHS 45 Review
by Kate Pritchett
The theme of the 45th International Horn Symposium, hosted by Dan Phillips at the University of Memphis was “Horn and Song.” It was an excellent theme and was evident in every recital and concert program at the symposium and in many of the other presentations and lectures.
The University of Memphis campus is moderately large and attractive. The events did not take place in the Music building but rather two venues that were just across from each other – the Michael Rose Theater and University of Memphis’s University Center (student union). The larger Rose Theater could seat more than the 700 participants who came but, with the less resonant acoustics of a theater, the performers found they needed to play from near the front of the stage and some of us found that sitting close to the stage allowed for a better acoustical experience. In contrast, the small hall in the University Center had very nice acoustics but limited seating. Even the tiny grand in that hall sounded fine.
The University Center’s upper floors housed the exhibits in several rooms, some with many exhibitors and a few with one or two. The layout seemed well organized and there was enough time during the day to visit the exhibits repeatedly.
Typical of the majority of recent International Horn Symposia, often two or three events were scheduled simultaneously so we all had to select carefully until the single evening performance. For example, on the first morning I chose to hear Engelbert Schmid’s lecture on horn acoustics (where he performed a work after about 25 years of just making horns). Jeff and Nina Nelsen and Luiz Garcia shared an afternoon recital that included very nice works well performed. Carmen’s Toreador Song for soprano and horn duet may have been the hit of the show. That evening Frank Lloyd and his wife, Rachel Robins, and tenor Randal Rushing performed a variety of works, including the rarely heard Heart of the Matter by Britten.
On Tuesday morning I chose to hear Karl Kemm’s lecture on the history of brass and the horn, and I was very glad that I did – it was a superb presentation with instruments, slides, and live performance on a variety of historical ancestors. After an enjoyable participants’ recital in the same hall, we went off to lunch.
Each day two or three horn ensembles performed at lunchtime in the cafeterias. Fortunately (or unfortunately), the programming and playing on these events was much tastier and imaginative than the food – the chef must own a can opener and be able to also open frozen vegetable packages and boil the contents. When meatloaf is the star of the week.... And the huge plastic glasses for soft drinks were the ones that NYC’s major was trying to ban not long ago! And boiled okra?
At 1 pm, Liz Freimuth (principal, Cincinnati) and Jasper de Waal (principal, Concertgebouw) performed some opera duets on the first half of the program and Jonathan Boen (principal, Chicago Lyric Opera) performed an entire transcription of Scriabin’s piano etudes. Although this was probably too much music from one composer, his legendary technique was well demonstrated.
Afternoon lectures were well done and the prelude to the evening concert was billed as the Chicago Horn Consort, which it was, but some of us wrongly anticipated some of the symphony or opera section to be members. The evening’s concert featured a first half performed by Eric Ruske. Ruske’s stage presence was exemplary – he performed his entire set from memory, and remained on stage and introduced works while his pianist, then harpist, the pianist came and went. After intermission came the premiere of Cantata No. 4: Canticum Sacrum, “Canticle of Zechariah” by Robert Bradshaw featuring Bill VerMeulen, horn soloist, also with a vocal soloist, strings, horn quartet, percussion, and off-stage trumpet (performed by Mark Boren who commissioned the work). Kudos to Bill and the horn quartet for nailing the parts!
Each day began with a warm-up session featuring various teachers, followed by a selection of lectures, recitals, and/or master classes. I tended to go to the recitals where I could often hear new music (to me). At least 20 works were premiered during the symposium!
Joan Watson’s recital of songs my mother taught me that afternoon was enjoyable. After reading her bio in the program booklet, I expected the presentation to be more substantive.
The rest of the afternoon and evening was take up by a trip to the Redbirds minor league baseball game where a group of some 200 hornists performed the National Anthem. Following this was a barbeque and the game watched from high in the bleachers outside third bass. Fortunately, the game didn’t go into extra innings (the Redbirds lost in the final inning). The trip was fun for all although I personally expected the barbecued ribs to be more outstanding.
Highlights of Thursday included an afternoon recital featuring hornists Abel Pereira and Jasper de Waal. A faculty bassoonist joined Pereira in works for the two (with piano). Pereira is a wonderful player but the literature did not show his abilities very well. Jasper de Waal’s Brahms Trio performance was a highlight of the week (as was his Mozart Concerto No. 3 later in the week).
The prologue to the evening’s concert was a half-hour performance by The Four Hornsmen of the Apocalypse, whose well-oiled and humorous presentation earned them a standing ovation. The following concert was “unique.” Angela Barnes, second horn of the London Symphony presented a very solid performance of several standards from memory. The ensuing performance with a men’s choir and horn quartet from the Memphis Symphony was enjoyable. The final work of the evening, the premiere of Walden at Evening for choir, horn solo (Boen), and percussion by Pamela Marshall was well received; I am not sure that it will ever be performed again, but the premiere was very well prepared and executed by all.
The Friday afternoon recital featured music of Eric Ewazen, who was in attendance, conducted his works and led composer discussions during the week. Ewazen’s jolly nature is infectious! Bruce Richards performed on Wagner tuba in that recital and we heard a horn quartet that had won an IHS Commissioning Assistance award. This was an interesting recital.
The Friday evening concert was designed to be the artistic peak of the week and was. Following a fine performance of Rossini’s Overture to Semiramide was the premiere of a horn concerto by Tinoco, with Abel Pereira as soloist and we got to hear him for really the first time. There was Britten’s In Memoriam Dennis Brain performed by The Four Hornsmen of the Apocalypse. A horn trio (Boen, Luff, Watson) performed Beethoven’s “Abscheulicher” recitative and aria from Fidelo with soprano. Following intermission we heard two marvelous performances of Mozart’s Concerto No. 3 (de Waal) and Britten’s Serenade (Lloyd and School of Music Director, Randal Rushing, tenor).
The final Saturday’s morning events included the annual IHS General Meeting, surrounded by the guided warm-ups, lectures, and a contributing artist recital. The afternoon was the time for the participant choirs conducted by Nguyen and Faust as well as an “All-Star Horn Big Band” conducted by Matlick. After a prelude by the Florida State University horn choir, the evening “performance” was supposed to be a humorous departing event featuring Prof. I.M. Gestopftmitscheist (Kendall Betts) and company in “world premieres,” including the music of Otto Fisch (first introduced at the Symposium in Manchester, UK), and a surprise visit from Elvis. Let’s just say that the Florida State University Horn Choir was the highlight of the evening.
Thanks to Dan Phillips for organizing a wonderful Symposium and his students who made it run smoothly. Special thanks to all the collaborative musicians (pianists, singers, instrumentalists) who contributed their time and musical excellence in making the performances first class.
Brisbane 2010
From the Patron
This was one of the best of the IHS symposiums, with such compact and convenient facilities, a perfect climate at the best time of year, and well-coordinated, excellent events. I have been to many symposiums, especially at the beginning when I was involved with starting the society. I haven’t been to one for a while. It was delightful to meet friends I hadn’t seen in donkey’s years.
I live in Melbourne, and we’ve had a brass festival there for a number of years, in which the American Horn Quartet and Jeff Nelson have participated.
But it has been special to have the horn symposium, with its larger contingent of horn players, in Australia.
In addition to all the marvelous performances by established artists, hearing new talent is exciting – one wonders what direction these young players will be going.
- Barry Tuckwell, First President of the IHS, IHS Honorary Member, and Patron of the 2010 Symposium
An Adventure in Australia
From the moment I clicked “go” on qantas.com.au, whenever Australia came up in conversation, I couldn’t suppress a sudden rush of joy and excitement. I had never been outside of the United States before, save for Canada, but that doesn’t count! This would be my second International Horn Symposium, and I could hardly wait!
I arrived at LAX, alone and confused. But then I saw a person, like me, lugging a horn case. In the crowded terminal, I followed her for five minutes, James Bond-style, to the Qantas gate. One 12-hour flight later, we touched down on another continent.
During the cab ride into Brisbane, I was overwhelmed by the energy and liveliness of the city. A couple hours after checking into the hotel, it was time for the IHS opening ceremonies. So I headed on over to the Griffith University Queensland Conservatorium, where a massive crowd of horn players had gathered. I immediately recognized one of my long-time horn playing friends, Lizzy, in a group of people; and as I headed in their direction, I passed by an elderly, yet curiously familiar gentleman in a burnt orange T-shirt. On the double take, I realized that it was none other than Australia’s own Horn Guru Barry Tuckwell!
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| Some members of the mass horn choir |
After my fanatic episode and inner debate on when to ask for his autograph, it was time for the ceremonies to begin. All of us hurried inside the beautiful auditorium to be welcomed by a romantic pattern of light across the stage curtains resembling “a giant brain,” as put so well by Kerry Turner.
With a word of welcome from Peter Luff, a massive horn ensemble rushed the stage to perform an intense piece, commissioned just for the occasion. IHS President Jeff Snedeker then gave us some encouraging words and pertinent advice. He said to not try and do everything, but by trying to see as many of your favorite things, artists, and exhibits, you couldn’t help but have a spectacular time! And after all of my overwhelming thoughts from the hectic airline adventure and the sheer size of the city and the convention, Jeff reminded me that it was important to have as much fun as possible.
The week progressed with concert after mind-blowing concert and presentation after inspiring presentation. My absolute favorite part of the week was that I was surrounded by the best people: horn players. Oh, and the exhibits were totally metal. I met some amazing people that week and I was so sad to leave Australia.
On the plane ride back, I sat next to Dr. Rose French, and I couldn’t stop thinking over and over that I wouldn’t trade my experience at the 42nd International Horn Symposium for anything!
- John Turman, starting at Rice University in Houston TX
IHS 42 Brisbane
Reports from the 43rd International Horn Symposium
View from a Teacher
This was my first international horn symposium; here are some of my impressions.
Exhibits: A variety of literature and teaching materials was available at the exhibits. I was lucky to locate a nearby ATM machine, because not every vendor was set up to take credit cards.
One of the many useful books for teaching purposes that I discovered was a seven-page treasure, First Lip Slurs for Horn, by Dr. Howard Hilliard (Cornocopia Press). My beginning and intermediate students are profiting from it because it simultaneously teaches air use, middle and low range, arpeggios, listening skills, and concepts of the natural horn. The patterns include some that include skips of a 6th that demand proper air use while offering ear training. These exercises also serve as an introduction to transposition, as each pattern is repeated in descending valve combinations on the F horn.
Workshops: BE: The Balanced Embouchure Method, presented by Valerie Wells with Stephen Park. This workshop presented an approach to embouchure development that was 100% new to me. Valerie and Stephen demonstrated the exercises up close and personal, which was essential because I had no idea it was legal or possible, let alone beneficial, to do such odd things with a face. I had only two choices: write them off as nuts or try it. Given Valerie's stunning demonstrations of producing super high, pianissimo, pure pitches out of thin air, and given Stephen's gorgeous sound and security as a performer (search for Steve Park to find some lovely video performances), I chose the latter. And sure enough, the BE exercises do not demand the dreaded "embouchure change" but do lead to embouchure improvement in all registers. I recommend their website (beforhorn.blogspot.com) as a source of information for those not at the workshop.
Memorable Performers and Performances: Frank Lloyd's performance of the J.S. Bach Toccata and Fugue in d minor. I had no idea this kind of effortless agility was possible! With no compromise of tempo or accuracy, he somehow played the full range of the organ. Stunning!
William VerMeulen's performance of Steamboat Stomp. He warned the audience that we were about to experience a fun and wild ride. What a hoot!! He was clearly having as much fun as we were.
Gail Williams, horn, and Benjamin Ring, percussion, Alec Wilder's Solo Suite for Horn and Improvisatory Percussion. The charming and artistic collaboration between the amazing and experienced Gail Williams and this 13-year old imaginative and poised percussionist was something to behold. I do believe we were all touched on both an artistic and a human level.
Gail Williams and Nicole Cash, with fine string players, Beethoven's Sextet in Eb Op. 81b. We have all practiced the horn parts to this work. One can only guess that a factor in the perfect intonation and balance between the two horn performers was that Nicole is a former student of Gail's (as well as of William VerMeulen).
CD: A CD to get You in the mood for the 44th IHS Symposium in Texas next May: Texas Horns features 12 horn players from the Dallas and Houston Symphony Orchestras, including three of the featured performers at this symposium. The repertoire ranges from Samuel Barber to Thad Jones, and needless to say, the performance level is tops. Crystal Records CD774
Conclusion: I strongly encourage readers to reserve the dates for the 44th International Horn Symposium, May 15-19, 2012 at the University of North Texas in Denton.
- Jane Swanson, retired schoolteacher who teaches privately and plays horn in San Luis Obispo CA
Amateur Sessions
Is "amateur" the best term for our sessions about community music making? A more adequate term, I think, could be "community musicians." The word "amateur" carries a stigma. "Enthusiast" is another label that has been proposed.
Community groups in Tucson, Arizona (my home) serve many purposes and are important to the fabric of the community and enjoyment of residents and visitors alike. I believe that these community ensembles are valuable and that sessions about community music making or amateurs are a much-needed component at the IHS workshops. Attendance at the sessions in San Francisco was high, and I hope for more sessions at future symposiums.
The first session was a master class with Nicole (Nikki) Cash, associate principal horn of the San Francisco Symphony. Nikki started by addressing practical matters for horn players who have day jobs; mainly the obvious lack of practice time, where and how to find even ten minutes or so. Nikki, with a great sense of humor, made a point of urging several short periods of practice, which included buzzing the mouthpiece in the car along with the tunes on the radio, at your desk, etc., as opposed to a two-hour long or more session at the end of the day, after a day's work, which may or may not be available in terms of time and/or energy. Short stints allow for muscle and concentration recovery. Nikki questioned whether or not one really can concentrate for the longer period of time and had concerns about energy and overuse of muscles. Visualization can be a great tool and can be practiced without the horn. If you have just half an hour to practice, she recommended 5-10 minutes for warm-up, then 20 minutes of etudes or repertoire.
Buzzing a mouthpiece with actual pitch and even articulation has become a much more suggested part of the warm-up, and the buildup of the embouchure. In this session, with the principal horn of the Boston Civic Orchestra, Kerry Thompson, who played the Nocturne from Mendelssohn's Midsummer's Night's Dream, a short buzz period cleared up tone and approach to the horn, which has been the case every time I have observed this teaching technique at a symposium. Nikki led Kerry to a calmer playing style with her engaging approach of "breathing like a bellows" and buzzing.
The second volunteer, Emily Craparo, an aeronautical engineer stationed at the Naval Postgraduate School in nearby Monterey, played the famous solo from Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5. Nikki played along with Emily after the first time through and was able in a short period of time to free up Emily's playing. Nikki brought out issues of posture and use of air and complimented Emily on her choice of material. She recommended articulating the dotted quarter notes as three eighth notes during practice to keep the rhythm steady through the rubato measures.
Nikki advocates taking in the amount of air you need, not an over amount, to produce a musical phrase. Playing musically was a consistent phrase in this master class.
Clearly these two individuals wanted to learn. It seems the case that with more than one participant in a master class that the first participant often receives the most energy and actual time in the session, and it is usually the most instructive, and to some extent that was true here.
Nikki is a thorough and energetic teacher, as well as an impeccable performer. She imparts fun and technique with urgency, which I think is of great value to the person who has a day job but is excited to play well, no matter the hour or the place. Revitalizing skills was what I observed with her. She did so with not overconfidence but with positive encouragement, making the player want to do immediately what was suggested ... buzzing, using air, and picturing the action of the bellows of an accordion or barbeque grill, extending her arms outward then inward. I felt that was a strong visual cue for everyone. As an audience member, it just seemed fun and really vital to be part of Nikki's instruction.
The second session featured a panel with Bill Scharnberg and Mike Hatfield, moderated by Marilyn Kloss. Handouts from Bill included a form to guide one's thinking about where one was in terms of musicianship and where one wanted to be in five or ten years. The session started off with Bill asking the audience what it wanted to discuss, which unfortunately led to a meandering discussion. I felt that the handouts, had they been used, would have ameliorated the pointless discussion, but they were used only as a fleeting reference.
Marilyn asked for suggestions for future "amateur" sessions. I suggested asking a community ensemble director from the Denton TX area (site of next year's symposium) to address the needs and struggles of community groups. Community music groups also have adjunct personnel who advance the musical life of the group; i.e., webmasters, artists for flyers, fundraisers, spouses who act as ushers, etc. Perhaps one of those individuals could lead or participate in a session.
- Barbara L. Chinworth, IHS Arizona Area Representative and editor of Horn on the Range