I need help quickly on which horn to choose for my daughter. This is hopefully goig to be purchased for Christmas. The more I research and look at horns the more I become confused. My daughter is a 7th grader who takes privately from an instructor with experience with several nationally recognized Philharmonic and Symphony Orchestras (Boston, Cinn.)
Her instructor tells me that she is capable of sitting 2nd chair to any of the local high school principle players in the area, and that college and a proffessional career is very possible. She has medium sized hands, has been working on advanced techniques such as stop horn for some time, and has very good air volume and breathing control.
Our instructor has recommended the Conn 8D or 6D. What are the big differences other than bore diameter. My daughter currently plays a school provided 6D.
Several options that I have available are a new Conn 6d, a 2yr old Conn 8D and a Proffessionally Restored 1957 Elkhart 6D that is immaculate.
Help ....Thanks.

I would definitely favour the elkhart 6D. The horns made in that production period play very well. However, the 8D is more widely accepted in professional playing than the 6D so maybe that might be a better investment.

Perhaps you should ask your daughter to play all 3 before deciding? The player should always try the horn beforehand (preferably the teacher should try it as well) and choose the one that responds the best. A horn that responds well to one player won't necessarily respond to another (due to difference in air supply/pressure, embouchure etc..)so trying the horn(s) in question is quite important.