Horn socializing

Well, it seems like this board is generally pretty slow, aside from the periodic questions (including my own). I know that I would like to try to build up our little horn community some more, especially since I know there are plenty of knowledgeable, helpful, professional and amateur horn players that either post or simply browse here. And since I am not aware of any more active horn forums, I figure we should make the most of this.

Anyway, Let's start with some minor introductions. Not your biography, but maybe something like...

-What type of horn(s) do you own? Rent? Borrow?
-What are some of your favorite composers, pieces, sections for horn? Have you played them?
-What are you currently involved with, musically?
-Do you have any recordings of yourself playing? Solo, ensemble, whatever, share your talent! I've seen M-Papeghin's tribute arrangements, and those are awesome. But even if it's just a small clip, let us hear =]
-Have you ever travelled somewhere interesting due to music? Would you have gone there eventually even without music?

As for me,
I currently do not own a horn, but with the help of members here I am in the process of buying. I am pretty set on a Hoyer 6801, unless something comes up and really strikes me as my dream horn. I've borrowed many school horns in the past, more different brands and models than I can even remember over the decade and a half I've been playing.

As far as my favorite composers for horn...Aside from the obvious classical composers, I have a contemporary favorite. Say what you will, but I absolutely love playing pieces written by Eric Whitacre. I realize he writes high school level music, but his horn parts were always my favorites during high school, and even today I can remember the passages, solos, solis. During high school we played Cloudburst, October, and Sleep. I played first horn and just thought it was so beautiful. Our band and horn section were award winning, so when we played the songs, it was so pretty that I could just relax and sink back into the sound all around me, like being in the middle of a recording. His pieces were my first real taste of dissonance, and since then I have loved that aspect of music. Plus, a more silly sentimental reason, is that I was infatuated with one of our oboists, and the call-response between horn and oboe in october always made me feel all warm and fuzzy. Yeah, young foolish love, right? Haha, anyway...

Recently, as of this past summer, I have found myself for the first time not preparing for a concert since the 5th grade. Having finished my first four years, I am taking some time off to work full time and save up some more money to continue school.

Unfortunately, I don't have any recordings of myself playing on my computer. I know I have some recordings of my high school and college bands at concerts somewhere around here. If I can find the CD's I'll try to get a couple up.

I have been to places I would never have been able to go if it weren't for music and playing the horn. Middle school was my first trip to Seattle, when I decided I wanted to work toward attending school here. High school brought me to Los Angeles, San Fransisco, Vancouver BC and Whistler. College took me to South Korea and Italy! I never thought I would have opportunities like these, music really is the best thing that's happened to me.

Anyway, as cheesy as it may be, this is my musical introduction. Now it's your turns! Don't leave me hanging, let's socialize!

Horn socializing

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