News for 2015
Northwest Horn Symposium 2015 held at the University of Oregon, Eugene, OR
The 2015 Northwest Horn Symposium was held at the University of Oregon, hosted by Lydia Van Dreel, from April 10-12.
Saturday and Sunday, warm-up sessions were led by Stacey Eliason and Gina Gillie.
Presenters throughout the weekend included:
Julie Landsman: “The Carmine Caruso Method”
Jeff Snedeker and John Cox: “Are we playing that right? Valve horn performance through the hand horn lens in 19th Century orchestral solos.”
Rebecca Olason: “Discovering George Crumb’s ‘An Idyll for the Misbegotten': An examination of extended techniques and rhythmic challenges in Robert Patterson’s arrangement for horn.”
Steven Cohen: “J.S. Bach and the Horn: An Exploration of Performance and Teaching Practice in Bach works featuring the horn.”
Danielle Kuhlmann: Horn Fundamentals
Adam Wolf: “Rock Horn Project: Today’s business of starting your own project/ensemble, while letting YOUR voice be heard out of the bell, as an individual artist.”
Linda Harris and Friends: Alphorn presentation and performance
Performances throughout the weekend included:
Friday night jazz: Tom Varner
Saturday night: John Cox and Julie Landsman, Members of the Northwest Horn Orchestra, conducted by Rodney Dorsey, soloists Leander Star, Joe Falvey, and the Czech-American Horn Duo.
Sunday afternoon: Julie Landsman with the Northwest Horn Orchestra, Gina Gillie and Jeff Snedeker, Rachel Drehmann, Ann Ellsworth, Leander Star, and the massed participant ensemble.
Winners of the Mock Audition were Sophie Mortensen (CWU) and Logan Moss (CWU). Scholarship recipients were Marie Smith (Logan, UT) and Taylor Mills (PLU).
Saturday and Sunday, warm-up sessions were led by Stacey Eliason and Gina Gillie.
Presenters throughout the weekend included:
Julie Landsman: “The Carmine Caruso Method”
Jeff Snedeker and John Cox: “Are we playing that right? Valve horn performance through the hand horn lens in 19th Century orchestral solos.”
Rebecca Olason: “Discovering George Crumb’s ‘An Idyll for the Misbegotten': An examination of extended techniques and rhythmic challenges in Robert Patterson’s arrangement for horn.”
Steven Cohen: “J.S. Bach and the Horn: An Exploration of Performance and Teaching Practice in Bach works featuring the horn.”
Danielle Kuhlmann: Horn Fundamentals
Adam Wolf: “Rock Horn Project: Today’s business of starting your own project/ensemble, while letting YOUR voice be heard out of the bell, as an individual artist.”
Linda Harris and Friends: Alphorn presentation and performance
Performances throughout the weekend included:
Friday night jazz: Tom Varner
Saturday night: John Cox and Julie Landsman, Members of the Northwest Horn Orchestra, conducted by Rodney Dorsey, soloists Leander Star, Joe Falvey, and the Czech-American Horn Duo.
Sunday afternoon: Julie Landsman with the Northwest Horn Orchestra, Gina Gillie and Jeff Snedeker, Rachel Drehmann, Ann Ellsworth, Leander Star, and the massed participant ensemble.
Winners of the Mock Audition were Sophie Mortensen (CWU) and Logan Moss (CWU). Scholarship recipients were Marie Smith (Logan, UT) and Taylor Mills (PLU).
News for 2014
International Horn Symposium 46, August 11-15, London, England
New music for horn
Gina Gillie has composed two new works that include horn. The first is a piece for horn and women's choir, "To Spring", that is taken from the last movement of Gillie's trio for soprano, horn and piano. In late April, Gina traveled to Portales, NM, as a guest artist to work with the choirs from Eastern New Mexico University and their director, Jason Paulk. The women’s choir premiered the arrangement of “To Spring” on their Spring Choral Concert.
The second composition is a brass trio that was commissioned by Elliott Higgins for the New Mexico Brass Trio. It is a three movement work: "Fanfare and Chorale", "Lament" and "Tango". A live radio broadcast of the last two movement can be heard on the KING-FM Soundcloud. Copies of the music can be obtained by contacting Gina via email (gilliegc@plu.edu).
The second composition is a brass trio that was commissioned by Elliott Higgins for the New Mexico Brass Trio. It is a three movement work: "Fanfare and Chorale", "Lament" and "Tango". A live radio broadcast of the last two movement can be heard on the KING-FM Soundcloud. Copies of the music can be obtained by contacting Gina via email (gilliegc@plu.edu).
Jeff Snedeker receives high honors
Jeff Snedeker received two major awards in April. First, he received the 2014 Timm Ormsby Award for Faculty Citizenship, a statewide award created in 2013 to encourage, recognize, and honor exemplary civic engagement by faculty from each of the six public baccalaureates in Washington state. Second, Jeff was selected as the national winner of the 2014 Phi Kappa Phi Artist Award. First presented in 1983, the Phi Kappa Phi Artist Award recognizes the achievements of those who, in addition to their outstanding scholarship, have displayed talents in the broad realm of the arts—creative, graphic, performing, visual, and fine arts. The award is given once every two years. Phi Kappa Phi is the nation's oldest and most selective all-discipline honor society. The Society has chapters on more than 300 college and university campuses in North America and the Philippines. Its mission is "To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others."
Northwest Horn Symposium 2014 held at Portland State University, Portland, OR
The Northwest Horn Symposium 2014 was held from April 11-13, 2014 at Portland State University in Portland, OR and was hosted by Melissa Robinson. The featured guests were Roger Kaza, Principal Horn of the St. Louis Symphony, Brian Holmes, composer, physicist and horn performer, and local artist, John Cox, Principal Horn of the Oregon Symphony. Attendance throughout the weekend was approximately 150 students, professionals, teachers, vendors, enthusiasts and supporters.
The feature artist presentations included two lectures from Brian on the physics of brass instruments, a discussion on accuracy and how to attain it from John, and an informal discussion about audition committee perspectives and getting an orchestra job from Roger.
Local professionals and teachers who gave lectures, presentations and performances included Bill Stalnaker, Danielle Kuhlmann, Gina Gillie, Stacey Eliason, Leander Star, Lisa Marsh, Bruce Coutant, and Lydia Van Dreel. Performances were presented by the Oregon State University Horn Ensemble, directed by Lawrence Johnson, the University of Oregon Horn Ensemble, directed by Lydia Van Dreel, the Central Washington University Horn Ensemble, directed by Jeff Snedeker, local artists in a horn quartet playing “Gems of the Northwest,” the Northwest Horn Orchestra, directed by Dave Bryan, and a final massed horn choir, directed by Ken Selden.
The feature artist presentations included two lectures from Brian on the physics of brass instruments, a discussion on accuracy and how to attain it from John, and an informal discussion about audition committee perspectives and getting an orchestra job from Roger.
Local professionals and teachers who gave lectures, presentations and performances included Bill Stalnaker, Danielle Kuhlmann, Gina Gillie, Stacey Eliason, Leander Star, Lisa Marsh, Bruce Coutant, and Lydia Van Dreel. Performances were presented by the Oregon State University Horn Ensemble, directed by Lawrence Johnson, the University of Oregon Horn Ensemble, directed by Lydia Van Dreel, the Central Washington University Horn Ensemble, directed by Jeff Snedeker, local artists in a horn quartet playing “Gems of the Northwest,” the Northwest Horn Orchestra, directed by Dave Bryan, and a final massed horn choir, directed by Ken Selden.
News for 2013
New Clarion Brass CD
The Clarion Brass (Jennifer Scriggins Brummett, horn) has released a new CD titled "Reindeer Games." It is their newest Christmas CD. Information can be found by following this link: http://www.figarotunes.com/
Northwest Horn Symposium 2014 to be held at Portland State University
Dates: April 11-13
Hosts: Melissa Robinson and Bill Stalknaker
Hosts: Melissa Robinson and Bill Stalknaker
New Facebook Events Page
IHS has a new method of sharing events throughout regions. Visit the IHS Northwest Horn Region Facebook page to find up-to-date announcements for events around the Pacific Northwest.
IHS International Symposium 45, July 29-August 3, 2013 in Memphis, TN
News for 2012
Lyric Brass releases new CD entitled "American Music for Brass Quintet"
PLU's Lyric Brass Quintet has just come out with a CD of American music that features the brass quintet.
The recording includes:
"Shaker Tunes for Brass Quintet" by Gwyneth Walker
"The Alcotts" from Piano Sonata No. 2 by Charles Ives
"Dance Movements for Brass Quintet" by David Snow
"American Vignettes for Brass" by Sy Brandon
The project was made possible by two generous grants: The PLU Regency Advancement Award and the Co-Op Press Recording Assistance Grant.
The CD is available on iTunes, Amazon, CDBaby and from Gina Gillie. Contact gilliegc@plu.edu.
The recording includes:
"Shaker Tunes for Brass Quintet" by Gwyneth Walker
"The Alcotts" from Piano Sonata No. 2 by Charles Ives
"Dance Movements for Brass Quintet" by David Snow
"American Vignettes for Brass" by Sy Brandon
The project was made possible by two generous grants: The PLU Regency Advancement Award and the Co-Op Press Recording Assistance Grant.
The CD is available on iTunes, Amazon, CDBaby and from Gina Gillie. Contact gilliegc@plu.edu.
Gina Gillie's "To the Seasons" for soprano voice, horn and piano is now published.
The composition is published through RM Williams publishing. Contact music@rmwilliamspublishing.com or visit www.rmwpublishing.com/gillie-to-the-seasons.
To hear sound recordings of the piece, visit this website.
To hear sound recordings of the piece, visit this website.
Northwest Horn Symposium 2013
Next year's horn symposium will be hosted by Sherry Linnerooth at Montana State University in Bozeman, MT, and will feature guest artists Eric Ruske and Michael Robert Thornton. The dates are scheduled for April 19-21, 2013. Sherry can be contacted at sherry@bozemansymphony.org. Check the Symposium website for more information.
Northwest Horn Symposium 2012 was a great success!
The most recent NW horn symposium, March 30-April 1, was held at Pacific Lutheran University and was hosted by Gina Gillie. The featured artists included Douglas Hill and Mark Robbins. Douglas Hill shared his expertise regarding teaching, learning and extended techniques, while Mark Robbins brought his experience as an orchestral and solo player to the discussion. Mark Robbins and Lydia Van Dreel also led two warm-up sessions during the weekend.
Horn choir performances were given by the University of Oregon under the direction of Lydia Van Dreel, Central Washington University under the direction of Jeffrey Snedeker, and The Redmond Horn Choir under the direction of Paulette Altman and Matthew Kruse.
Feature concerts included the music of Douglas Hill on Friday evening as well as a focus on Mark Robbins on Saturday evening. Performers included Mark Robbins, Gina Gillie, Jeffrey Snedeker, Lydia Van Dreel and other collaborating musicians. Regional artists, including Stacey Elaison, Jennifer Scriggins Brummett, Lydia Van Dreel, Jeffrey Snedeker, students from Central Washington University and the Redmond Horn Quartet presented wonderful musical selections at the Regional Artists concert on Saturday afternoon.
A mock audition with a preliminary and final round was held in which 14 players participated: Congratulations to Damon Kirk for winning the high horn category and to John Geiger for winning the low horn category. Jennifer Scriggins Brummett, Steve Denroche and Jeffrey Bell-Hanson judged the competition.
Vendors included Ted Brown Music, Yamaha Instruments, Wichita Band Instruments, and "The Balanced Embouchure" Method. The iVasi system was represented by Adrian Dunker and was available throughout the weekend for horn players to play along with their favorite symphonies.
Additional photos and information can be found at the website for the Northwest Horn Society: http://nwhornsociety.weebly.com
Horn choir performances were given by the University of Oregon under the direction of Lydia Van Dreel, Central Washington University under the direction of Jeffrey Snedeker, and The Redmond Horn Choir under the direction of Paulette Altman and Matthew Kruse.
Feature concerts included the music of Douglas Hill on Friday evening as well as a focus on Mark Robbins on Saturday evening. Performers included Mark Robbins, Gina Gillie, Jeffrey Snedeker, Lydia Van Dreel and other collaborating musicians. Regional artists, including Stacey Elaison, Jennifer Scriggins Brummett, Lydia Van Dreel, Jeffrey Snedeker, students from Central Washington University and the Redmond Horn Quartet presented wonderful musical selections at the Regional Artists concert on Saturday afternoon.
A mock audition with a preliminary and final round was held in which 14 players participated: Congratulations to Damon Kirk for winning the high horn category and to John Geiger for winning the low horn category. Jennifer Scriggins Brummett, Steve Denroche and Jeffrey Bell-Hanson judged the competition.
Vendors included Ted Brown Music, Yamaha Instruments, Wichita Band Instruments, and "The Balanced Embouchure" Method. The iVasi system was represented by Adrian Dunker and was available throughout the weekend for horn players to play along with their favorite symphonies.
Additional photos and information can be found at the website for the Northwest Horn Society: http://nwhornsociety.weebly.com
Higher Education Music Educator of 2011, Jeffrey Snedeker
The Washington Music Educators Association selected Jeff Snedeker as Higher Education Music Educator of the Year for 2011. Congratulations, Dr. Snedeker!!
News for 2011
Website for Northwest Horn Symposium 2012!
The website for the Northwest Horn Symposium is up and running! Visit www.plu.edu/music/northwest-horn-symposium to find more information and to download the registration form. Online proposal forms for performances and presentations are coming soon.
Seattle Symphony Principal Horn Auditions to be held in January
Only highly qualified applicants will be invited to this audition.
Employment to begin in September 2012.
Final auditions for this position will be held in Seattle on Monday, January 9, 2012. Preliminary auditions may begin as early as Tuesday, January 3, 2012.
Please send a brief resume listing recent orchestral experience, musical education and audition experience placement by Monday, November 14, 2011. Repertoire will be sent upon receipt of your resume.
CURRENT CONTRACT INFORMATION - 2011-2012 SEASON:
• 47 week season including seven weeks paid vacation: (45 weeks Symphony/Opera and an optional 2 week Seattle Opera summer production);
• Workload and salary shared between the Seattle Symphony Orchestra and the Seattle Opera Association;
• Benefits include medical and dental insurance, pension, disability, life insurance, instrument insurance, and parking.
Send a one-page resume to: (e-mail is preferred)
• Scott Wilson, Assistant Orchestra Personnel Manager
Seattle Symphony
PO Box 21906
Seattle, WA 98111-3906
• Fax: (206) 215-4701
• E-mail: Audition.Resumes@SeattleSymphony.org
(Please include the words “Principal Horn Auditions” in the title of your reply, and attach your resume as a Word document or PDF).
NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.
Seattle Symphony is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Employment to begin in September 2012.
Final auditions for this position will be held in Seattle on Monday, January 9, 2012. Preliminary auditions may begin as early as Tuesday, January 3, 2012.
Please send a brief resume listing recent orchestral experience, musical education and audition experience placement by Monday, November 14, 2011. Repertoire will be sent upon receipt of your resume.
CURRENT CONTRACT INFORMATION - 2011-2012 SEASON:
• 47 week season including seven weeks paid vacation: (45 weeks Symphony/Opera and an optional 2 week Seattle Opera summer production);
• Workload and salary shared between the Seattle Symphony Orchestra and the Seattle Opera Association;
• Benefits include medical and dental insurance, pension, disability, life insurance, instrument insurance, and parking.
Send a one-page resume to: (e-mail is preferred)
• Scott Wilson, Assistant Orchestra Personnel Manager
Seattle Symphony
PO Box 21906
Seattle, WA 98111-3906
• Fax: (206) 215-4701
• E-mail: Audition.Resumes@SeattleSymphony.org
(Please include the words “Principal Horn Auditions” in the title of your reply, and attach your resume as a Word document or PDF).
NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.
Seattle Symphony is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Northwest Horn Symposium 2012
The Northwest Horn Symposium for 2012 will be hosted by Dr. Gina Gillie at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma. The featured guests will be Douglas Hill, Bernhard Scully and Mark Robbins. Plan ahead to participate with these great masters. A website will be coming soon for information and registration.
International Horn Symposium 2011
The 43rd annual symposium was hosted by Wendell Rider in San Francisco, CA at San Francisco State University. Many master classes, presentations, vendors, concerts, and other learning and playing opportunities were experienced by all.
The next symposium will be hosted by Bill Scharnberg in Denton, TX, May 15-19, 2012.
The next symposium will be hosted by Bill Scharnberg in Denton, TX, May 15-19, 2012.
Northwest Horn Symposium 2011
A very successful Northwest Horn Symposium was held on April 8-10 at CWU, hosted by Jeffrey Snedeker. Thank you to all of the featured guests and participants for such an enriching weekend!
Steven Denroche and Andrew Clark performed a short duet on baroque horns
during a lecture.
Photo courtesy of Laurie Heidt.
Andrew Clark gave a presentation on early horns.
Here he is with his assistant from the audience, who made astute observations regarding the instruments.
It also appears that a cymbal rack can double as a holder for a baroque horn.
Photo courtesy of Laurie Heidt.
A close up of some crooks and couplers for a natural horn.
Photo courtesy of Laurie Heidt.
International Horn Competition of America 2011
The International Horn Competition of America 2011 will be held August 31- September 4 at the University of Louisville School of Music in Louisville, KY. Included in this event is a clinic with IHCA adjudicators, which will center on a discussion concerning pertinent aspects of solo performing, a wonderful opportunity to hear from some of the most experienced performers, teachers and adjudicators in the horn world. For more information, visit www.ihcamerica.org.
Recordings of interest
Jeffrey Snedeker just released two CDs, both available from him directly for $15 each, or on Amazon and iTunes.
- The Contemporary Natural Horn-- the first of its kind, recital music for natural horn from the last 40 years.
- Minor Returns: Tributes to the Horn in Jazz-- my second jazz CD, featuring special guest Tom Varner, and a number of CWU faculty, alums and students. The tunes include tributes to Julius Watkins, John Graas, David Amram, and others.
Gail Williams Master Class
Gail Williams gave a Master class at Gonzaga University in the end of March.
Pictured with her in this photo are Steven Munson, Cassidy Young and Ian McLean.
Pictured with her in this photo are Steven Munson, Cassidy Young and Ian McLean.