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A Horn Player's Study Guide

by Thomas Bacon

Level 6

The player at Level 6 is on the verge of a professional career, probably a senior in college or studying at the graduate level, and no doubt already somewhat in demand as a free-lance player in the area. It is likely that he/she is, or will soon be, looking for a performing or college teaching position.

If performance is the goal, then practice is the way to achieve it. Major orchestras and other fine professional ensembles are looking only for players of exceptional ability, ones who can display these important qualities:

• total mastery of technique;
• the ability to play all styles of music expressively and appropriately;
• the ability to read and transpose at sight anything from the standard repertoire;
• performance experience;
• a broad knowledge of repertoire;
• a high level of professionalism and dedication;
• the ability to work with other people.

If a college teaching position is your goal, the necessary qualities are no less important, but take on a slightly different focus:

• exceptional playing ability and performance experience;
• masters or doctoral degree or equivalent in professional experience (many schools require the degrees regardless of experience);
• teaching experience;
• broad knowledge of pedagogical methods;
• broad knowledge of all the repertoire for horn;
• a high level of professionalism and dedication;
• the ability to work with other people;
• administrative skills.

The music business is highly competitive and job openings frequently have hundreds of applicants. To win the position of your dreams requires initiative, diligence, hard work, and a little bit of luck. So go practice your horn, and good luck!

RECOMMENDED READING

Bellamah -- Survey of Modern Brass Teaching Philosophies

Farkas -- The Art of Musicianship

*Gregory -- The Horn

*Morley-Pegge -- The French Horn

(*available in most music libraries)

LEVEL 6 ETUDES AND STUDIES

Bach, J.S./Hoss -- Suites (from the Cello Suites)

Gallay -- 12 Etudes for the Second Horn

Hill -- Extended Technique

Reynolds -- 48 Etudes

LEVEL 6 SOLOS

Dukas -- Villanelle

Gliere -- Concerto, opus 91

Gossec/Bacon -- Tambourin from Selected Songs Vol.2

Handel/Reynolds -- 3rd Sonate

Kling -- Concerto Brillante

Reynolds -- Partita

Strauss, Richard -- Concerto #2

Weber -- Concertino

Wilder -- First Sonata

LEVEL 6 HORN ENSEMBLES

QUARTET

Hindemith -- Sonata for Four Horns

Leclaire -- Quartet

Tippett -- Sonata

SEXTET

Hervig -- Blue Horns

OCTET

Mayer -- Festmusik für acht Hörner

Levels: Intro | One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Six