The Horn Call Podcast

Join us in Episode 78 for a discussion with Stasia Forsythe Siena and Katy Ambrose about The Alphorn Project! Episode Highlights Background on Katy and Stasia Benefits of playing the alphorn for horn players Cormont Horn Camp Sean Slatter’s The Alphorn Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-alphorn-podcast/id1562357417 Alphorn Association of North America: Alphorn Project: https://www.alphornassociation.org/ Sadie Glass, Natalie Douglass Grana, Stasia Siena, Katy Ambrose, Hazel Dean Davis, Anne Ellsworth Shoutout to Jena Gardner “The primary instrument is the player…” Alphorn Events in October Silver and Brass, Carson City, NV: https://silverandbrassmusic.com/alphorns.html Mouthpiece Adapter for Horn Mouthpiece Alpensong: https://www.alpensong.com/ “This is a tube…let’s make music on a tube.”

Our guest for this episode is Peter Luff, President of the International Horn Society! Episode Highlights Schooling, early influences Switching from Trumpet to Horn Queensland Symphony Important influences on Australian horn playing Hector MacDonald Conducting experience Importance of chamber music Gunther Schuller “If you need an injection of enthusiasm, attend a conference.” Teaching Philosophy Shout out to Ysolt Clark “Be a musician that plays the horn.”

Our guest for Episode 76 is Layan Atieh, hornist with Seraph Brass, and the newly appointed horn professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison! Episode Highlights Studying with Robert Rearden at Peabody Conservatory and Nathaniel Silberschlag at the Cleveland Institute of Music “There’s a bigger goal beyond getting good at the instrument…” Music as a means of creating cross-cultural connections “The way you walk on stage is part of the performance…be intentional about it.” Rehearsals/Programming for Seraph Brass Audition process for Seraph Brass Tour hacks "Endurance is one of the hardest things about playing in a brass quintet." “Thread and Chord: A Dialogue Between Fashion and Music” Advice for students and early career professionals on balancing a busy career with life and other commitments. “You have to be ok with not being great at everything all the time…” Role of the International Horn Society, International Women’s Brass Conference, other organizations Upcoming projects: Recordings, Tours, Lemon Stick Trio: Voice, Horn, and Piano recording

Join us in Episode 75 for a conversation with 2025 IHS Punto Award Winner Xiao-Ming Han! Xiao-Ming recently retired from the German Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and returned to his native China to teach at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. Episode Highlights Growing up in China in the 1960s in a musical family Choosing between music and sports Attending conservatory in Beijing at age 14. Joining the China Philharmonic at age 17. Early meeting with Richard Mackey, replacing Richard Mackey at the last minute on Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony conducted by Seiji Ozawa. Leaving China at 18 to pursue horn at Tanglewood and the New England Conservatory. Studying in Germany and winning an orchestral position at the age of 21. Coming back to his roots in Shanghai as a professor to mentor the next generation of players Promoting the IHS in China

In Episode 74, we speak with Benjamin Lieser, the horn professor at the University of Central Florida and a member of the IHS Advisory council! Episode Highlights Growing up in Florida, getting started in music and on the horn Switching from trumpet to horn Important Early Influences: Dean Cassels, William Robinson, William Capps Tallahassee Symphony Youth Orchestra Studying at Florida State University Interlochen with Randall Faust Graduate School at the University of Cincinnati with Randy Gardner Performing in Mexico Band directing, freelance career, adjunct teaching at Stetson University “There’s no such thing as part-time Middle School Band Directing.” Doctoral School at Florida State with Michelle Stebleton Teaching philosophy Balancing teaching with an active performance career Importance of the IHS/Serving on the Advisory Council IHS Scholarships and Awards: https://www.hornsociety.org/programs/awards-and-competitions Barbara Chinworth Project: https://www.hornsociety.org/programs/awards-and-competitions/barbara-chinworth-project Florida Horn Festival https://www.floridahornfest.com/

Our guest for Episode 73 is Elizabeth Freimuth, professor of horn in the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, former principal horn of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and a member of the IHS Advisory Council! Episode Highlights   Teaching full time at her Alma Mater, Rice University Differences between teaching full time and performing in an orchestra full time. Changes in teaching philosophy over the years Balancing analytical mindset vs. performance mindset Importance of the IHS International Horn Competition of America Technology and horn playing/teaching “It’s a very distracting world…” Cincinnati Symphony/Pops stories Keeping playing fundamentals in order    

Join us in Episode 72 for a conversation with Matias Piñera, Solo horn of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra! Episode Highlights Important influences Preparing for the Munich Philharmonic audition, audition process Living and working in Germany, and what he misses most about Chile Teaching position at the Mozarteum Academy. Balancing teaching and performing Latin Band Los Pitutos https://youtu.be/4EgTgsDeZww?si=6wHp40i6HM9ZZkGm developed new instrument How the International Horn Society been important in his career.

Our guest for Episode 71 is Kate Caliendo! Kate enjoys a diverse musical career of symphonic playing, chamber music, recording, soloing and teaching. She is currently Second Horn of the Jacksonville Symphony and has also held Fourth Horn positions with the Houston Symphony and San Antonio Symphony. Episode Highlights Getting started on the horn Neurodivergence as a musician New teaching position: University of North Florida Round Top Music Festival A multi-faceted approach to modern careers: gigging, teaching, playing, social media “If you are making music, you are a musician.” New project: Moonflower, for unaccompanied solo Horn Charleston Horn Camp Maintaining Inspiration as an artist IHS importance Social Media: Kate Caliendo or Kate Caliendo Horn Katecaliendo.com [email protected]

Join us in Episode 70 for a conversation with Dr. Derek J. Wright!  Derek plays 3rd horn with the award-winning Dallas Winds and in the West Texas Symphony. He has performed with several major orchestras including the Fort Worth Symphony and the Dallas Symphony. Dr. Wright is also a co-owner of Houghton Horns. He has contributed to the design of horns and mouthpieces for the Verus brand and frequently speaks on instrument design and acoustics at various educational institutions. Episode Highlights Horn playing journey, education, influences, etc. Studying with Kazimierz Machala at the University of Illinois, followed by Masters at University of Minnesota, Doctorate at Arizona State University Moving to Texas, getting started with Houghton Horns, and eventually becoming a co-owner Houghton Horns Retail Shop and Repair Shop are two different businesses “Bad practice is worse than no practice…” Horn/mouthpiece design Marketing, communication, and other aspects of the business Skills learned as a musician that have been helpful in business, and vice-versa Upcoming projects/developments New Houghton Horns building with concert hall Importance of the IHS to you and Houghton Horns “I need to always learn…” National Association of Music Merchandisers National Association of School Music Dealers, Inc Molly Gebrian, Learn Faster, Perform Better: A Musician's Guide to the Neuroscience of Practicing The Savvy Musician by David Cutler

Our guest for this episode of The Horn Call podcast is Wojciech Kamionka, the host of IHS 58 in Poland! Episode Highlights Musical journey, current teaching position IHS58 preparations, news/updates What IHS58 attendees can expect Musical life in Poland, opportunities for horn players Polish Music Edition: New method book  Scales and Arpeggios book: Penderecki Academy Press