While some of you are playing horn in addition to other instuments I'm adding the title of horn student's mom to my repetoire as ballet dancer's mom. I know now what a dancer needs to prepare to be a pro but I have no idea how to guide a horn player. He's played trumpet 2.3 years and horn and just started horn 3 months ago. OK, how importatnt are private lessons? How soon after starting the horn or what age should a student have privates? When should they start attending Summer music intensives? Is there a particular practice routine he should have? When should he audition for local youth symphonies? Are there products that would help practice? software, MP3s ect? I'm sure I'll think of more questions as I read more. Thanks for your help.

To be a pro. . . .
Private lessons are very important.
You cannot start too soon, start now.
Start Summer music clinics as soon as you can
Is there a particular practice routine he should have? - YES, but get that from the private teacher.
When should he audition for local youth symphonies? - As soon as the teacher thinks he can play the literature.

You cannot start too soon. When I started the school system would not let me play a Horn, because "I was too small". When I did start playing in the youth orchestras everyone else in the section had been playing horn since they were 5 and 7 years old.

If you have the resources for lessons there is no substitute for private lessons. Many school systems just are not prepared or trained to teach horn properly. Start with the closest professional symphony and see which Horn players are teaching. Call them, if they do not take beginers they can refer you to someone who does. If you can't contact the Horn section directly contact your closest Musicians Union Local and they will have a list of competent teachers.

The horn is not as hard as many people say. But, there are some difficulties and if there is an interest or passion from your child to play horn it is a most wonderful part of ones life. The more opportunities s/he can play the better s/he can become.

John