The Horn Call Podcast

Welcome to Part 3 of our Summer 2025 series of short Bonus Episodes! At IHS40 (2008), hosted by Susan McCullough and Jesse McCormick at the Lamont School of Music in Denver, Colorado, Honorary Member Douglas Hill organized a series of four panel discussions, entitled "Pedagogical Pearls." The theme of this third session was "Studio Concerns in Specific Situations." The first guest is Marian Hesse, speaking about "Assessment in the Horn Studio," followed by William Scharnberg, who discusses "Dealing With Failure." For more archived audio from past symposiums, visit Symposium Highlights on the IHS website.

Welcome to the second in our 2025 series of short Bonus Epsiodes! At IHS40 (2008), hosted by Susan McCullough and Jesse McCormick at the Lamont School of Music in Denver, Colorado, Honorary Member Douglas Hill organized a series of four panel discussions, entitled "Pedagogical Pearls." The first presenters are Douglas Hill and Lin Foulk. The handout referred to by Lin Foulk may be downloaded here. She discusses the book The Courage to Teach by Parker Palmer. Next, Patrick Hughes talks about the book Don't Shoot the Dog as it relates to teaching the horn. The episode closes with an excerpt from Catherine Roche-Wallace's lecture on Frames of Mind. The theory of multiple intelligences by Howard Gardner. For more archived audio from past symposiums, visit Symposium Highlights on the IHS website.

Welcome to the first in our 2025 series of short Bonus Epsiodes! At IHS40 (2008), hosted by Susan McCullough and Jesse McCormick at the Lamont School of Music in Denver, Colorado, Honorary Member Douglas Hill organized a series of four panel discussions, entitled "Pedagogical Pearls." This installment includes Professor Hill's introduction and excerpts from presentations by Jennifer Montone, Richard Chenoweth, and Douglas Hill. For more archived audio from past symposiums, visit Symposium Highlights on the IHS website.  

Join us in Episode 61 for a conversation with Vidhurinda Samaraweera, IHS Country Representative for India and Sri Lanka, and a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of The Horn Call. Episode Highlights Western Classical Music and Horn Playing in Sri Lanka Personal Journey into Horn Playing Challenges and Opportunities for Musicians in Sri Lanka A Team Horns Sri Lanka https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFfiaNHuyFY Orchestras in Sri Lanka Importance of Perseverance and Collaboration Involvement with the International Horn Society

In this episode, we sit down with composer, horn player, and music preparer Steven Juliani! Episode Highlights Early Horn Studies Studies at Curtis Institute of Music Graduate studies at USC: studying with Vincent DeRosa Professional Playing in Los Angeles Transition to Music Copying Starting His Own Copying Business Law School (In His 40s) Practicing Law Return to Music and Composition Relationships with fellow musicians Recent Commission and Performance with Chicago Symphony Horn Section "I think my story is about being able to adapt and change gears and see new opportunities. And I I think that's an important skill to have for any musician."

Join us in Episode 59 for a conversation with Gabriel Radford, Third Horn of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Co-founder of The Embouchure Project. Episode Highlights Studying with Fred Rizner at the University of Toronto and Danny Katzen in Boston Thoughts on playing third horn in the Toronto Symphony Orchestra: “listen to the soloists” Coping with injury and article in January 2025 issue of The Horn Call “Every case of embouchure syndrome is unique.” “If there's a problem, you're going to know it.” “If you can feel it you can fix it.” Horn Teaching The Embouchure Project: https://www.theembouchureproject.org/ Resources for dealing with injury recovery

Our guest for Episode 58 is the fabulous Lisa Bontrager, Emeritus Professor of Horn at Pennsylvania State University, and a member of the IHS Advisory Council and the Brass Band of Battle Creek, among many other engagements! Episode Highlights Musical Inspirations Teaching philosophy, other pedagogical ideas Studying with Louis Stout at the University of Michigan Advice for new or aspiring professional musicians and/or college teachers Brass band, brass quintet Chamber Music Brass Band of Battle Creek, tenor horn Millenium Brass MirrorImage Duo Importance of the IHS, serving in the Advisory Council    

Our guest for Episode 57 is the amazing Christoph Eß, Principal Horn of the Bamberg Symphony and the IHS Country Representative for Germany. Episode Highlights Current playing and teaching activities Important influences on horn playing Auditioning for orchestral positions in Germany New Strauss Recording German Horn Sound Quartet YouTube Channel and publications (warmups and others) https://www.germanhornsound.de/product-page/hornbasics-and-daily-warm-ups International Horn Society, Activities as Country Representative for Germany christophess.de germanhornsound.de

Our guest for Episode 56 is Mars Gelfo! Episode Highlights Being rejected from music school 7 times Application of cognitive science to horn playing Practicing differently Performing with the Macau Orchestra, Hong Kong Philharmonic Audition preparation Importance of wellness, whole person teaching Modacity Music practice app Using software to change the embouchure Kendall Betts Horn Camp memories Intrinsic practice “Focus on the ingredients!” “Have you tried easier?” Victor Wooten https://www.victorwooten.com/ https://marsgelfo.com/ Role of the tongue; playing the horn with your tongue? https://www.highrangemagic.com/

Happy 2025! Our guest for Episode 55 is the amazing Brian KM! Show Notes Brian's Website: briankm.com  Brian's Socials: IG: @imbriankm YT: @imbriankm TikTok: @imbriankm The AI Code of Ethics for Artists: https://www.briankm.com/ai.html  Musical Influences: https://juliakent.com  https://danielherskedal.com  https://www.rachelkcollier.com  https://www.daftpunk.com  Brass Bands: https://diebrasserie.com  https://www.brassdelirium.com Conan Clip: What an Audience Wants https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkxx87HaDx1VlpAwqqZvAIqPZbF1s84LaAK?si=SNQhXuA2zDu14WEK Ableton Live: Brian's Software https://www.ableton.com  Musical Entrepreneurship Advice: http://meganihnen.com  Brian's Audio Setup (See below)  

Join us for a discussion with IHS Advisory Council member Emma Brown in this special New Year Bonus Episode! Emma Brown is currently pursuing a master's degree in Orchestral Studies from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. In 2023, she graduated with a bachelor's degree in Horn Performance and a minor in Spanish from Michigan State University. Her major teachers include David Griffin, Greg Flint, Mark Almond, Corbin Wagner, Dr. Denise Root-Pierce, Janine Gaboury, and Dr. Caroline Steiger. Emma was a charter member of the International Horn Society's Student Advisory Council, serving from 2020 to 2023. She now serves on the Advisory Council. Emma has contributed multiple articles to the Horn Call, which have mainly focused on navigating musicianship as a student. She is passionate about providing resources, mentorship and connection to a musical community for young players. Episode Highlights Studying with Corbin Wagner at Michigan State University Graduate school at Roosevelt University (Chicago College of Performing Arts) Inspiration from The Art of French Horn Playing by Philip Farkas Studying privately in high school before attending college Equipment talk! Deciding to pursue music as a career “I just like the way the horn sounds…” On being mentally flexible Transitioning from undergrad to grad school, prescreening auditions IHS Advisory Council and Student Advisory Council *SAC applications open January 6, 2025 at hornsociety.org Reasons to join the IHS! Anyone can join the IHS!  

Our guest for Episode 54 is Nikolette LaBonte, Principal Horn of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, and a member of The Horn Call's Editorial Advisory Board. Episode Highlights Teaching and Performing activities Edith Borroff Horn Sonata: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDb9J2_XtSA On choosing the horn: “the horn looks cooler than the oboe…” Studying with Peter Kurau at the Eastman School of Music Kendall Betts Horn Camp, Music Academy of the West “When we miss notes, there's always a reason.” Book Recommendation: Bounce, by Matthew Syed Horn playing inspirations Listening to Rochester Philharmonic rehearsals Audition preparation Discipline and Motivation “Say ‘yes' as much as you can…” Learning how to prioritize Playing and teaching natural horn. Shout out to Anneke Scott! “Yes, and…”  

Our guest for Episode 53 is Dr. Libby Ando! Episode Highlights Congratulations to Dr. Ando! Coda Brass Quintet: https://www.codabrassquintet.com/ Working with the Rowan University Marching Band, Drum Corps Studying with Lyndsie Wilson at Rowan University, Elizabeth Pfaffle at West Chester University, and Leelanee Sterrett at Rutgers University Attending college during COVID Transcribing Ethel Smyth's Cello Sonata John Burroughs quote, “Leap and the net will appear.” Research on orchestral excerpts by women composers: Alice Mary Smith, Augusta Holmès, Amy Beach, Ethel Smyth Advice for those who want to start a chamber group.

Join us in Episode 52 for a conversation with Ian Zook, Professor of Horn at James Madison University and the host of IHS57! Episode Highlights Growing up in North Carolina, attending UNC Chapel Hill and the University of Michigan. Studying with Sören Hermansson and natural horn with Lowell Greer Trading North Carolina stories Favorite horn recordings Celebrating the differences and subtleties in horn playing around the world Czech School of Horn Playing, Tylšar brothers Horn and More Column, Horn on Record, ianzook.com IHS 57 planning, June 24-28, 2025: www.heritage-horns.com How to get to Harrisonburg, Virginia Join the IHS!

Join us in Episode 51 for a conversation with the amazing Aliyah Danielle! Episode Highlights Growing up around music. Studying music education at Arizona State University Graduate school at Berklee College of Music in Valencia, Spain Growing up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin Shoutout to Dr. John Ericson “I didn't have a lot of free time in undergrad…” Musical inspirations Shoutout to Darcy Hamlin “I grew up listening to anything and everything…” Creating a structure for myself as an artist. Kendall Betts Horn Camp Learning work/life balance Moving to New York Advice for younger musicians “You can do more than one thing…”  

Join us for a special bonus episode of The Horn Call Podcast on Injury Recovery with Nick Fife and Joey Johnson. Nick and Joey are both active performers and teachers in the Southeastern United States, and they have created a new column focused on injury recovery for The Horn Call.

Join us in Episode 50 for a discussion with the creative and talented Kate Warren! Episode Highlights On choosing the horn and majoring in music Coming from a small high school band program Choosing a life in the arts Shoutout to Michelle Stebleton Postgraduate study at The New School and Yale University Shoutout to John Ericson and Horn Matters Website: https://www.katewarrenmusic.com/ Instagram: katewarrenmusic Advice for navigating social media “Just good enough is ok!” Learning to be better at time management Learning to edit audio and video content Learning to take time off “Music takes time.” Drum Corps and playing the mellophone Touring with Blast! Improving access to music education

Our guest for Episode 49 is Dr. Monica Martinez, Assistant Professor of Horn at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, and a member of the IHS Advisory Council! Episode Highlights Full circle moments On choosing the horn Playing the horn right-handed Growing up in South Texas “Change is not instant…” Pursuing music as a career. Studying with Jennifer Sholtis at Texas A&M Kingsville Majoring in music education and music performance Work ethic, persistence “You have to work hard for everything.” Studying with Patrick Hughes at the University of Texas-Austin Balancing a teaching job with practicing the horn Working for a music store “I never had just one job…” Dealing with imposter syndrome Building a culture in a horn studio: “It's never about me.” “You have to be mindful…” Serving on the IHS Advisory Council

Our guest for Episode 48 is Marshall Sealy, a multi-talented artist who has performed all over the world, including the 54th International Horn Symposium as a Featured Artist. Episode Highlights Starting out as a horn player Kinhaven Music Camp: https://kinhaven.org/ Singing in Bach cantatas Touring with the Long Island Youth Orchestra Attending Ithaca College on both music and soccer scholarships! Studying with John Covert Studying brass instrument repair Meeting Julius Watkins and studying with him Importance of being a well rounded player Friendship with Jerome Ashby Performing in Mexico Performing multiple styles Importance of warming up, equipment Advice for young horn players Willie Ruff Importance of sound Have a really great practice mute and stop mute. Instrument maintenance advice  

Join us for this special panel discussion on IHS Honorary Member Hermann Baumann (1934-2023). Guests include Ab Koster, Joseph Ognibene, Justin Sharp, and J. Bernardo Silva. *Above image provided by Justin Sharp, courtesy of the Baumann Family.

Join us for a special Bonus Episode, featuring Richard King and Daniel Grabois. This interview was originally published as part of Dan's Pedagogy Column in Horn and More.

My guest for Episode 46 is Bernhard Scully, Associate Professor of Horn at the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign! Episode Highlights Isla Verde Bronces International Brass Festival in Argentina Music is subjective! Studying with Kendall Betts in high school It's all about fundamentals. Studying at Northwestern University: Dale Clevenger, Roland Pandolfi, Gail Williams Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais Method Performing with the Minnesota Orchestra Graduate School at UW-Madison, studying with Douglas Hill Performing with the Canadian Brass Advice for students on keeping your playing in shape. “You really don't have time to practice on the road.” Transcendental Meditation “Try to live as healthy as you can.” Aging Value of improvisation Collaborating on a book: Consilience - Learning About Ourselves by Applying Indigenous Traditions to Western Music and Technology Join the International Horn Society!

Episode 45 of The Horn Call Podcast features Tommi Hyytinen, a member of the Finnish Radio Orchestra and horn and natural horn faculty at the Sibelius Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki. Episode Highlights Starting out on the horn Finnish horn playing tradition Attending the Sibelius Academy The path from student to professional Balancing school and professional work Musical inspirations, legacy of Holger Fransman Studying with Radovan Vlatkovic Audition process in Finland Instruments used in horn sections in Finnish orchestras The “Finnish Horn Sound” Chamber music work Golden Horns Quartet, performing on television in Helsinki Pop music influences Playing from the Core book Work with Pilates Breathing misconceptions Lieksa Brass Week

Join us in Episode 44 for a discussion with Michelle Stebleton, Professor of Horn at Florida State University and a member of the IHS Advisory Council! Episode Highlights Starting out as a horn player Attending Interlochen Arts Academy, studying at University of Michigan with Louis Stout and Lowell Greer Musical inspirations Performing in the Midland-Odessa Symphony Path to teaching, path to FSU “If you want to play well, playing has to be your hobby.” Playing in lessons, teaching techniques “I teach macro to micro.” Teaching tone “Stebletones” Sighing through the horn Involvement with the International Horn Society Editing the “Teacher Talk” column in The Horn Call

Our next guest on The Horn Call Podcast is James Hampson, of Hampson Horns! Episode Highlights Deciding to change majors from engineering to music Mozart operas and becoming fascinated with the natural horn Remembering Lowell Greer Studying with Marc Guy at SUNY-Fredonia Dick Martz Collection: https://www.rjmartz.com/horns/ Moving Hampson Horns from Ohio to New York Douglas Lundeen and Rutgers University Early Music scene in Boston, studying at Boston University Shout out to Paul Austin! Brass Witch: https://www.brasswitch.com/ Mouthpiece consulting, Alpine Mouthpieces: https://www.alpinemouthpieces.com/ On mouthpieces: “Our bodies change.” And “One mouthpiece isn't going to fix everyone's problems.” Take care of your instrument.

Join us in Episode 42 for a chat with John McGuire, Associate Professor of Horn at Colorado State University, and the host of the 2024 International Horn Competition of America AND the 56th International Horn Symposium, July 26 – August 2 in Fort Collins, Colorado, USA. Episode Highlights Planning process for IHCA and IHS Symposium: https://hornsonthehorizon.com/ Shout out to Nancy Joy! How competitions can be beneficial Venue: Colorado State University and Fort Collins, CO Rocky Mountain National Park Weather, altitude, staying hydrated! Guest Artists for IHCA The planning team for IHCA/IHS56      

  Join me in the 2023 Holiday Bonus Episode for a chat with Allison DeMeulle, IHS Interim Executive Director, and Johanna Lundy, IHS Treasurer and member of the Advisory Council. Episode Highlights How the IHS works; overview of the past year Allison's transition to Interim Executive Director of the IHS What does the IHS Treasurer do? Overview of IHS programs (what do membership dues and other contributions help fund?) Role of social media, Social Media Coordinator position How can someone's contributions help the IHS? Revamping awards and scholarships programs New website at hornsociety.org Shout out to Dan Phillips! Fellowship and community are important Reaching out to horn players around the world Benefits to joining the IHS, how to join, how to help support the IHS: https://www.hornsociety.org/donate Student advisory council Shout out to the Advisory Council! Shout out to Mike Harcrow and the editors at Horn and More!

Our guest for Episode 41 is Musician 1st Class Erika Loke, a member of the United States Naval Academy Band and Editor of the Military Matters column in The Horn Call. Episode Highlights Graduate school at Wichita State, performing with the Wichita Symphony orchestra Doctoral school at the University of Maryland, Auditioning for military bands Naval Academy Band in Annapolis, Maryland Band Excerpts to know: American Overture, John Williams Moving across the country Attending Kendall Betts Horn Camp with her father Horn and Electronics album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=557_IZ2_oxQ&list=OLAK5uy_lSjVMkog_4c0mhjBkHOYR4DrpdGnkobUc Shout out to the IHS Meir Rimon Commissioning Assistance Fund The Ring Cycle, abridged for Wagner Tuba and Piano with offstage horn More music for Wagner Tuba Performing with the Lieurance Wind Quintet Life in the Naval Academy Band Balancing work and family life Upcoming projects Shout out to Brian KM and Nick Fife!

Join me in Episode 40 for a conversation with Caiti Beth McKinney, creator of the REPresent Project and Podcast! Episode Highlights On choosing the horn over violin and other instruments Musical influences, horn and otherwise Most interesting practice spaces Shout outs! to Heather Test, Michelle Stebleton, Gina Gillie, Ashley Killam, Lin Foulk Baird, Ken Amis On loving film music, studying with Richard Todd https://richardtoddmusic.podia.com/ REPresent project and podcast: https://www.caitibethmckinney.com/represent-the-podcast Boulanger Initiative https://www.boulangerinitiative.org/ Diversify the Stand https://www.diversifythestand.org/ https://www.linfoulk.org/index.html https://www.temresource.com/ Resources for performers and teachers Upcoming events, performances, etc. “There's so much good music out there.”

Our guest for Episode 39 is the multi-talented Shanyse Strickland! Episode Highlights Switching to the horn from flute Auditioning for college on flute, horn, and euphonium! Studying with Bill Slocum and Stacie Mickens at Youngstown State University. Be a good musician first, and a good instrumentalist second Early inspirations on the horn Respect for Julius Watkins “I just like challenging myself.” Changing in undergrad from being a flute performance major to horn! Shoutout to Stacie Mickens! How a mouthpiece change was lifechanging. Freelancing, performing on Broadway in New York “Think outside of the box.” “The industry wants somebody different.” Getting started as a composer, first commission for Lantana Brass Trio's album, Crossing Barriers: https://www.amazon.com/Crossing-Barriers-Bernofsky-Rodriguez-Strickland/dp/B0BNGHXRT9 Shoutout to Margaret McGillivray Into the Spider-verse Tour with the Broadway Sinfonietta

We kick off Season 4 and Episode 38 of the Horn Call Podcast with Leelanee Sterrett, a member of the New York Philharmonic!  Episode Highlights Musical influences, early experiences at Interlochen Arts Academy Shout-out to Julie Schleif Shout-out to Douglas Hill Graduate study at Yale, studying with William Purvis Preparing for competitions and auditions Advice for music students today Women Composers – repertoire in general Practice/maintenance routine Daily/Weekly schedule in the NY Phil Involvement with the IHS

My guest for Episode 37 is Dr. Margaret McGillivray! Dr. McGillivray is on the faculty of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in the Washington, DC, an active freelance musician, and the organizer/initiator of the new solo collection LIFT: Solos for Horn by Black Composers, available from Cimarron Music Press. Episode Highlights Duke Ellington School of the Arts in the Washington, DC https://www.ellingtonschool.org/ Freelancing in the DMV (Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia) area. Background on the project LIFT: Solos for Horn by Black Composers https://www.cimarronmusic.com/liftsolosforhornbyblackcomposers Shout out to Joanna Ross Hersey Tips for commissioning new works: “your network is bigger than you think…” Shout out to Bryan Doughty of Cimarron Music Press Next steps for the project: recording, presentation at IHS55, creating a non-profit https://www.margaretmcgillivray.com/    

My guest in Episode 36 is the amazing Jeff Scott, Associate Professor of Horn at Oberlin Conservatory, member of the IHS Advisory Council, and a Featured Artist at IHS55! Episode Highlights Growing up in Queens, NY Shout out to horn teacher Carolyn Clark Importance of learning to play in multiple styles Musical inspirations, horn and otherwise Shout out to Valerie Coleman Composition process Teaching philosophy Deciding to leave Broadway work for full time chamber music Hearing the overture to Oberon for the first time, played by Jerome Ashby. How he got started composing, advice for new composers Collaborating with Margaret McGillivray on LIFT: Solos for Horn by Black Composers Current performing, recording, composition projects Upcoming IHS55 where he is a Featured Artist

Join me in Episode 35 for a conversation with Nick Fife! Episode Highlights Nick's article(s) in the May 2023 Horn Call and injury recovery. Craig Vander Kolk, M.D. https://mdmercy.com/find-a-doctor/craig-vander-kolk-md Using the bass trombone to rebuild his horn playing. Balance is important! “The first step to being good at something is being bad at it.” How he got into composing. List of compositions on WaveFront Music: https://www.wavefrontmusic.com/nicholas-fife.html Musical inspirations Shoutout to J.D. Shaw! Hosting the NC Horn Day Mute Making: https://nicholasfife.wixsite.com/nicholasfife/the-mute-peddler IVASI Network online: https://www.ivasi.net/

Join us in Episode 34 of The Horn Call Podcast for a conversation with Pascal Deuber, Principal Horn in the Bavarian State Orchestra at the Bavarian State Opera, and First Prize winner in the 2021 ARD Competition. Episode Highlights Current performing positions, rehearsal schedules Musical education/training Preparing for the ARD competition, advice for other horn players who want to compete Favorite pieces to play Interests outside of horn playing Listen to Pascal perform Strauss's Horn Concerto No. 2 in the 2021 ARD Competition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYQMBU9KY9w Munich Opera Horns: https://www.staatsoper.de/en/septemberfest-2022-bios/munich-opera-horns

In Episode 33 we have more archival audio from the First Annual French Horn Workshop held at Florida State University in 1969. This is a panel discussion with Philip Farkas, Barry Tuckwell, James Chambers, Anton Horner, Wendell Hoss, and Max Pottag. The panel (which appears to be moderated by James Chambers) took written questions, and questions from the floor. Episode Highlights Schools of playing  Solo playing developments Transposition Intonation Difficult openings Max Pottag and Anton Horner Playing in bands

In the first of this multi-part series featuring audio from past IHS symposia, John Barrows (1913-1974) gave what sounds like a masterclass at The First Annual French Horn Workshop, held at Florida State University in 1969. At some point during the session he took questions from the floor.  Episode Highlights mouthpieces, Conn 8Ds, and Verne Reynolds mouthpieces, his own playing, and Geyer horns bore and playing styles Bruno Jaenicke (1887-1946) and famous recordings of the time playing style, hand stopping   

Join me in Episode 31 for a conversation with IHS Advisory Council Member and Secretary Allison DeMeulle! Episode Highlights Working for an arts non-profit in marketing Double-majoring in music performance and a self-designed major in publishing and editing at Chapman University Being an orchestra manager while in college Being on the IHS Advisory Council How graphic design training can help you be a better musician Why the marketing side of the arts is very important Starting a business: http://themusicalnotes.com/ Getting excited about IHS55    

Join me for a conversation with the host of IHS55, Louis-Philippe Marsolais! Episode Highlights Planning for IHS55, July 24-29 Involvement with the IHS Guest artists so far Montreal in the summer, weather, etc. University of Montreal Reasons to attend IHS55 Unique features of Montreal, getting there, lodging, travel in the city, etc. Check out Louis-Philippe's article in the February 2023 issue of The Horn Call

Join us in Episode 29 for a conversation with the amazing Brett Hodge, Principal Horn of the Omaha Symphony and 3rd Horn of the Grant Park Festival Orchestra. Episode Highlights Musical path on the horn Preparing for orchestral auditions Growing up in St. Louis, hearing the St. Louis Symphony Lightbulb moments Differences between music performance and music education Studying with Martin Hackleman Shoutout to Ryan Gruber! Musical heroes “When I need to fix something in my playing, I ask someone else.” “Even professionals have to work on things.” Wind Quintet playing Programming, pops repertoire “Having an orchestral job is not the only career out there.” Shoutout to Chris Castellanos! Career development “There's more to life than just practicing…” “I'm not what you would call a traditional soloist…” Preparing for solo competitions Playing with the Grant Park Orchestra I don't feel the need to compete with other people anymore.” Inspirations, musical and otherwise Shoutout to Josh Johnson! “There's no reason to be afraid to play.”

I'm excited to share another Holiday Bonus Episode of The Horn Call Podcast! This one features a lecture given by IHS Honorary Member Alan Civil at the 4th International Horn Symposium in 1972 at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. A few editorial notes about this archival audio: Thanks to Dan Phillips for providing the audio file! This recording is 50 years old, and while adequate, the quality is spotty in a few places. I've done what I can to clean it up, and it is pretty clear overall. Mr. Civil's personality and playing come through nicely, which is what matters. The title of the lecture is "Are Conductors Afraid of Horn Players?" The duets at the end were composed by Alan Civil, and performed by Alan Civil and Shirley Hopkins Civil.

My fantastic guest for Episode 28 is Nancy Joy, horn professor at New Mexico State University, and International Symposiums Coordinator for the IHS. Episode Highlights Her very first Horn Symposium in 1980 Musical journey, impact of Miller's Blackhawks Musical Corps Studying with Richard Chenoweth Growing up on a (wal)nut farm! Falling in love with New Mexico Working at a music store Moving from Ohio to New Mexico Service to the IHS, being International Symposium Coordinator Planning for an IHS Symposium A sense of family in the IHS Memories from past symposiums Full chronology of IHS Symposiums: https://www.hornsociety.org/about-the-ihs/symposiums 

My amazing guest for Episode 27 is Anneke Scott! Anneke is at the forefront of the historically informed performance field, and recently performed as a Featured Artist at IHS54 in Kingsville, TX. Episode Highlights Working in Australia, Australian Chamber Orchestra, Australian Romantic and Classical Orchestra IHS54 in Kingsville, TX Prince Regents Band Dealing with jet lag, traveling, etc: “You are just where you are…you are right here right now.  Be rigorous about establishing that you are in that time zone. Eat at the usual times in your current time zone, even if you aren't hungry. Get outside.” Switching between instruments: “Don't think about what you did yesterday and what you have to do tomorrow, just focus on what you are doing right now.” Getting into historically informed performance: “I like the variety of it, and the sense of exploration.” Growing up in Birmingham, UK, musical education Music Programs at Universities, Conservatories in the UK Studying at the Royal Academy of Music in London “We have a remarkable history of different kinds of horns…” Further study in France, Holland Most bizarre instrument you've ever played: alto ophicleide with the Prince Regents Band; Corno da tirarsi Video project: “Corno not Corona” Sense of community with the IHS Royal Philharmonic Society “We have such wonderful repertoire as horn players.” More on switching instruments: “It does get easier.” “I find it useful to play the mouthpieces that go with the instruments.” Learning Portuguese! Book: Historical Horn Handbook: Volume I: Natural Horn, An Introduction https://www.annekescott.com/the-historic-horn-handbooks Jeffrey Snedeker's Book: Horn Teaching at the Paris Conservatoire, 1792 to 1903 The Transition from Natural Horn to Valved Horn https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9781003093237/horn-teaching-paris-conservatoire-1792-1903-jeffrey-snedeker 

My guest for Episode 26 is Isaac Shieh, a brilliant hornist based in the UK, by way of Australia. Be sure to follow Isaac on Instagram for some amazing natural horn playing! Episode Highlights PhD Music Programs in the UK Moving from Australia to the UK The Associate in Music, Australia (AMusA) Annemarie Federle Musical life in London Working with Don Greene, studying performance psychology Discrimination Getting interested in historical performance, natural horn Studying with Anneke Scott, Roger Montgomery Gallay Caprices Switching back and forth between period and modern instruments Video Projects Viennese Rotary Horn “Breathe-in, breathe-out” Auditioning for period orchestras Where to find instruments New music for natural horn Composing

Join us in Episode 25 for a conversation with Gabriella Ibarra. Gabriella is an active performer, teacher, and musicologist, and serves on the editorial board of Horn and More, the IHS E-newsletter. Episode Highlights Connecting horn players around the world El Sistema University system in Venezuela Musicological research, history of the horn in Venezuela Musical inspirations and role models Venezuelan composer for horn: Inocente Carreño Latin American Compositions for the Horn: Composition Contest

Join us for a rebroadcast of a live podcast on March 27, 2021 from the Northeast Horn Workshop hosted by Jonas Thoms and Albert Houde from West Virginia University. American Horn Quartet members joined from the Philharmonie Luxembourg: Kerry Turner, Geoffrey Winter, Kristina Mascher-Turner, and Guest Frank Lloyd https://www.hornquartet.com/  Episode Highlights The origin of the AHQ How each of the members came to live/study/work in Europe Anecdotes from tours over the past few decades The equipment they play How they developed a group sound How do they approach learning/rehearsing new repertoire in the quartet Suggestions for those who want to start a chamber group Things they know now that they wish they had known when they were in school and/or just starting out The relationship of the AHQ to the IHS - how important the IHS has been to them as a quartet and as individuals.

Join me for in Episode 23 for a conversation with Randall Faust about the IHS Composition Contest. Episode Highlights Brief history of the composition contest: https://www.hornsociety.org/about-the-ihs/composition-projects/composition-contest  How things have changed. Structure/Divisions Reasons why composers should participate. Advice for composers, and what makes a good composition for horn. Who can participate? What are the awards? For even more details about the history of the competition, get the IHS 50th Anniversary Book: https://www.hornsociety.org/257-uncategorised/1665-the-international-horn-society-the-first-50-years  Hornist, composer, author, and professor, Randall Faust has contributed to the horn community both regionally, in Western Illinois, and internationally, through the IHS and other organizations. Randy has participated in many IHS symposiums and was host of the 2009 International Horn Symposium in Macomb IL. Faust is a retired professor of music at Western Illinois University, and performed as hornist of the Camerata Woodwind Quintet and LaMoine Brass Quintet. He has hosted the annual Western Illinois Horn Festival—bringing a variety of outstanding hornists and clinicians to the WIU Campus—and in 2009, he hosted the 41st International Horn Symposium of the International Horn Society. He has participated in regional and international symposiums. His compositions, including Quartet for Four Horns in memory of Philip Farkas, are often heard on concerts and in recordings. He has produced an instructional DVD, How to Stop a Horn. He performs and records, including works of contemporary composers. Performance credits include broadcasts over Peach State Public Radio during 12 years as principal horn of the Columbus (Georgia) Symphony Orchestra and recording as a member of the Clarion Wind Symphony. Randy was born in 1947 in Vermillion, South Dakota, into a musical family. He studied at Interlochen, Eastern Michigan University (BS 1972), Minnesota State University Mankato (MM 1973), and the University of Iowa (DMA 1980). His horn teachers have included Marvin Howe, John Berg, Marvin McCoy, Don Haddad, Eugene Wade, Orrin Olson, Paul Anderson, Michael Hatfield, Arnold Jacobs, and Helen Kotas Hirsch; his composition teachers were Rolf Scheurer, Warren Benson, Anthony Iannaccone, Peter Tod Lewis, and Donald Martin Jenni. He has taught at Shenandoah University (1973-1982) and Auburn University (1982-1997), and has been on the faculty of the Interlochen Center for the Arts for over two decades. In 2006 he recorded Fantasies on American Themes, a CD of compositions by William Presser. Randy's articles and reviews have appeared in The Horn Call since 1980. He chronicled the work of his teacher, IHS Honorary Member Marvin Howe, in a 1996 Horn Call article “Marvin Howe, Singer of Smooth Melodies,” in his edition of Marvin Howe's The Singing Hornist (2001), an ongoing series of instructional videos, and in a lecture/performance involving many former Howe students at the 2016 International Horn Symposium. Randy's compositions have been performed at the International Trumpet Guild, the International Trombone Association, the National Gallery of Art, and the Weill Recital Hall of Carnegie Hall and have been the subject of several doctoral dissertations. His music has been recorded on Albany Records, MSR Classics, Crystal Records, Summit Records, and ACA Digital Recordings by artists such as The Palisades Virtuosi, Andrew Pelletier, David Griffin, Ralph Lockwood, Steven Gross, Michael Hatfield, Randy Gardner, David Krehbiel, and Douglas Hill. He and his wife, Sharon, have been publishing his compositions through Faust Music since 1974. In addition to his activities with the IHS, Randy has been president of the National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors (1992-1994) and has served as Interim Chair of the Western Illinois Department of Music. He has been honored by the Western Illinois University Chapter of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi as its Outstanding Artist for 2004 and in 2006 and 2010 by the College of Fine Arts and Communication with its Creative Activity Award. He has received the ASCAP Award in annually since 1990 and the Orpheus Award from The Auburn University Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity in 1987. Randy has served on the IHS Advisory Council (1984-1990), as Secretary-Treasurer (1986-1987), President (1987–1990), Music Review Editor for The Horn Call (1981-1990), and Composition Contest Coordinator since 2013. He received the Punto Award in 2009 and was elected an IHS Honorary Member in 2016.

With https://ihs54.com/ coming up, I thought it would be a great time to talk about equipment! Join Arizona State University's Professor of Horn, John Ericson, and me for a deep dive into mouthpieces and more! Check out the Horn Notes Podcast: https://hornnotes.libsyn.com/  Inner Diameter can make a big difference! Buying mouthpieces, then versus now. Laskey mouthpieces and inner diameter. https://www.laskey.com/  What do the numbers on mouthpieces mean? What does it feel like to play on a larger inner diameter? “Thousandths of an inch really matter.” Old school mouthpieces and consistency/quality control John Stork article on mouthpieces Why you should own at least five mouthpieces. How to test a horn/mouthpiece at a conference. Precision and how it affects horn building. So many variables! Example: bell rim “It's difficult to really hear yourself.” Always test the high B-flat!  

My very special guest for Episode 22 is Julia Burtscher, Executive Director of the International Horn Society! Julia Burtscher has been playing the horn for over 30 years and lives in Toledo, Ohio. She earned a BA in Music from the University of Cincinnati and later earned her MBA from the same institution. Julia has spent most of her career in the railroad software industry, and is delighted to be the new executive director of the IHS!  Episode Highlights Julia's path to becoming Executive Director of the IHS Working for the Cincinnati Symphony Railroads are complicated! “I never stopped playing…” “The horn is my stress relief…” Natural horn study Shoutout to Paul Austin Cincinnati sports teams What does the Executive Director do? Updated IHS Mission Statement How her experience in other careers helps her be an effective leader/administrator for the IHS, and how her training as a musician helps her succeed in other areas/careers. Experience as an amateur musician in the IHS Current and/or future initiatives for the IHS, and how IHS members can play a part

Episode 21 features Dr. Mike Harcrow, Professor of Horn at Messiah College, and the new editor of the IHS E-newsletter Horn and More. Episode Highlights Performing and teaching in Korea Auditioning for the Korean Symphony Orchestra “Those are all the things I love: horn, brass choir, and theory.” Playing injury Jeju Brass competition Kruspe Horns http://edkruspe.com/horn.html Horn and More E-Newsletter: Making the IHS more international “I'm a gear head!” “There's something really lovely about the Kruspe horn” Shoutout to Dan Phillips! Shoutout to Pat Hughes! Bring back the Horn Call Annual “We can take ourselves too seriously…” Dr. Mike Harcrow is a Texas native who holds music degrees from West Texas State University, the University of Miami, and the University of North Texas. For nearly fourteen years, Dr. Harcrow was an active performer and teacher in South Korea where he held faculty positions at Mokwon University in Taejon and at the Korean National University of Arts in Seoul; he was concurrently principal horn in the Korean Symphony Orchestra at the Seoul Arts Center. In the United States, he has been a member of the Amarillo Symphony Orchestra, the San Angelo Symphony Orchestra, the South Florida Symphony Orchestra, the Miami City Ballet Orchestra, and the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra, in addition to performing regularly with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, among others. He previously taught at Texas Woman's University and Midwestern State University. He currently performs with the Gettysburg Chamber Orchestra and the Pennsylvania Regional Ballet Orchestra, and, each summer, with the Classical Music Festival in Eisenstadt, Austria, and he is a frequent guest section player with the Harrisburg and York Symphony Orchestras. Dr. Harcrow is an artist representative for Kruspe Horns as well as holding the position of contributing editor for the International Horn Society E-Newsletter. He is founder of the Covered Bridge Brass (a community-service performing ensemble), manager of the Chesapeake Brass, and he is an active composer and adjudicator. At Messiah University, in addition to his teaching and coaching responsibilities, he performs with the Faculty Brass Quintet and manages both BrassCross and The President's Brass, the university's faculty-student brass ensembles.

My very special guest for Episode 20 is Dr. Jennifer Sholtis, Professor of Horn at Texas A&M University Kingsville, and the Host of IHS54. Join us for a conversation all about IHS54! Episode Highlights About Dr. Sholtis and Texas A&M Kingsville “Never close any doors.” An introduction to South Texas. IHS54 facilities: https://youtu.be/2nIOpCWx6EU What attendees can expect at IHS54. Unique aspects of this year's symposium King Ranch COVID Protocols during IHS54 Please register for IHS54! Social areas during IHS54 - Lobby Cafe and Veranda After Dark IHS Competitions – watch for the deadlines! IHS54 Competitions – Jazz Horn, Natural Horn, University Horn Ensemble, Professional Horn Ensemble, University Horn Quartet, Professional Horn Quartet, Pre-University Competition Youth Days - August 5-6 Shoutout to Marilyn Bone Kloss! Different “tracks” at IHS54 for Students, Amateurs, Professionals, Teachers, etc. Information for exhibitors – will be in same building as events IHS54 Sponsorships: Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver levels Advice for future symposium hosts Texas Barbecue and Mariachi Music! For more information, visit IHS54.com! Call for proposals! *Not fully accepted until person has registered for the symposium. Especially interested in youth-oriented and amateur-oriented presentations: warmup, technique, literature, etc.