Our guest for Episode 66 is Christopher Brigham! Chris is an American horn player and educator who is currently living in Cologne, Germany, with an active freelance career and private teaching studio. He is the author of "Olga’s Last Call: The Horns of Auschwitz" in the April 2025 issue of The Horn Call.  Episode Highlights Early studies with Mike Harcrow, Karen Houghton Studying at West Texas A&M University, then Hartt School (David Wakefield) Studying in Germany (Essen, Detmold) Recovering from focal dystonia Auditions in Germany Switching to an Alexander 103 horn Klaus Fehr Horns: https://fehr-frenchhorns.com/ Teaching/Freelancing in Germany https://www.muvac.com Article in The Horn Call, Olga’s Last Call: The Horns of Auschwitz Conducting an enthusiast horn ensemble at IHS symposia  

Join me in Episode 65 for a conversation with the amazing Kristina Mascher-Turner!  Episode Highlights Early inspirations, musical and otherwise Early training on the horn Attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison and studying with Douglas Hill “You have to fall in love with fundamentals.” Studying/Working/Living in Europe Advice for horn players looking to study/work abroad Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra Work with the American Horn Quartet (hornquartet.com), chamber music AHQ Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBz4drOokaM New teaching position in Ghent, Belgium: KASK & Conservatorium School of Arts in Ghent schoolofartsgent.be Favorite exercises for the horn, teaching philosophy, etc.

Our guest for Episode 64 is the amazing Ken Pope! Ken is the owner of Pope Horns and has been a member of the IHS Advisory Council. Episode Highlights Early Musical Journey and Transition to Horn Repair Career in Instrument Repair and Sales Instrument Maintenance and Repair: The single most important maintenance tip for brass instruments is to oil the valves. Balancing Performance and Business Advice for Aspiring Repairers/Retailers Current State of the Business and Future The International Horn Society

Join us in Episode 63 for a conversation with the great Randy Gardner! A member of the IHS Advisory Council, Gardner is currently Artist-In-Residence at Temple University’s Boyer College of Music and Dance.  Following a distinguished tenure as Professor of Horn and Chair of the Winds, Brass, and Percussion Department at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), he was awarded the title of Professor Emeritus.  Episode Highlights Early career and inspirations, musical and otherwise Studying with Philip Farkas, Chris Leuba, Bill Adam Leuba, A Study of Musical Intonation 50 years of service with Philadelphia Orchestra Sitting next to Mason Jones in Philadelphia Orchestra *Shostakovich Cello Concerto No. 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjfE0iWguwE&list=OLAK5uy_kiTaEimus2uI3DFtx5Sj69usbM8eEos5k&index=2 Importance of visualization Teaching philosophy, advice for new professors/teachers Natalie Douglass Grana, A Singing Approach to Horn Playing Bruce Adolphe, The Mind’s Ear “Would you study with you?” “Blow a long tone through the horn.” “Be a virtuoso person.” Books, other publications, etc. Legacy Horn Experience https://www.legacyhornexperience.com/ Legacy Horn Experience mouthpiece Paul Basler, Four Hymn Tune Settings Kendall Betts Horn Camp Serving on the Advisory Council, importance of the HIS Modular Music Masterclasses: https://randygardnerhorn.com/ https://randygardnerhorn.com/modular_music_masterclasses.htm  

Our guest for Episode 62 is the one and only Richard Todd, a veteran of the Los Angeles recording studios, professor at the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, and member of the IHS Advisory Council. Episode Highlights Early Musical Exposure Early Influences and Mentors Transition from Orchestral to Studio Work Studying with Waldemar Linder Studying with Vince DeRosa Collaboration with Gunther Schuller Jazz Influences John Graas Entry into LA Studio Recording and Changes in the LA Studio Industry Teaching Philosophy https://www.richardtoddmusic.com/the-art-of-practicing Longevity in Horn Playing: "The one thing that will never let you down physically in your playing career... is your air. Your air never has a bad day." Collaboration with Hoyer Horns Involvement with the International Horn Society

Welcome to the fourth and final installment 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 session was "Performance Needs; Specific Approaches." The presenters and topics are: Jeffrey Agrell: Ego and the horn player Jonathan Stoneman: Practice routines and his online survey. Douglas Lundeen: "Toward a Bel Canto Approach to the Horn" Bruno Schneider: European Conservatories Audience Q&A with Bruno Schneider, Douglas Lundeen, and Jeffrey Agrell For more archived audio from past symposiums, visit Symposium Highlights on the IHS website.

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!