[Hornlist] When requesting Nowlen paper
... send the request to the person making the offer. Don't send your request to this 1000-member list. Others making similar offers of papers-- suggest in your post that requesters reply directly to you and not to the list. Thanks. Larry Now that's room service! Choose from over 150,000 hotels in 45,000 destinations on Yahoo! Travel to find your fit. http://farechase.yahoo.com/promo-generic-14795097 ___ post: horn@music.memphis.edu unsubscribe or set options at http://music2.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
[Hornlist] LA Philharmonic - Music Director Change in 2009
L.A. Philharmonic warms to Gustavo Dudamel Musicians say 'bravo' to future conductor By Diane Haithman Times Staff Writer April 9, 2007 A few years back, Los Angeles Philharmonic music director Esa-Pekka Salonen, a native of Finland, borrowed a little American entertainment industry slang when he told The Times that he expected to continue in the high-profile post as long as he felt a good vibe from the band. But Saturday, Salonen, 48, surprised more than a few members of the band with a post-rehearsal announcement that, despite the continuing good vibe — indeed, perhaps because of it — the conductor would step down at the end of the 2008-09 season to devote more time to composing. According to Brian Drake, a French horn player and 28-year orchestra member, Salonen said he wanted to go out at the top. And just as the musicians were adjusting to this news, there came another startling announcement from Philharmonic President Deborah Borda: Salonen would be succeeded by a 26-year-old rising star, Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel. It was not as though the orchestra was unaware that Salonen might someday relinquish his position to further his composing goals. Still, Drake said Sunday, Actually hearing it, actually having it be a fact, is still shocking. Cellist Gloria Lum said that she and a handful of other musicians went out after the post-rehearsal meeting, and she acknowledged that it took a drink, a couple of drinks for the artists to process the double announcement. But Lum echoed what appears to be a unanimous good vibe of approval for Dudamel, music director of the Simón Bolivar National Youth Orchestra of Venezuela, on the part of musicians and Philharmonic board members. Dudamel led the orchestra for the first time in 2005 at the Hollywood Bowl and returned to conduct it at Walt Disney Concert Hall in January. We're a hard-bitten group of people — I mean, we're really very nice, but we get to work with some of the greatest conductors in the world, Lum said. To suddenly have the kind of connection and enthusiasm that we had with him was surprising. There are many conductors who are technically perfect, but they are taken with themselves, with their own ego as opposed to the music. With Dudamel, there is no artifice, no ego. Lum and other orchestra members also expressed relief that the announcement of Dudamel's appointment was concurrent with Salonen's resignation. The future of the orchestra is secure. We're not going to flail around with our hat in hand like every other orchestra, saying, 'Will you please come?' she said, referring to the fact that major ensembles including the Philadelphia Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic and the Chicago Symphony are amid highly publicized conductor searches. Said Philharmonic concertmaster Martin Chalifour, I would characterize Dudamel as a sort of Impressionist painter — he's like a painter splashing colors on the canvas. Philharmonic board member David Bohnett described the young Venezuelan's conducting at Disney Hall as an electric conduit between the musicians and the audience. He generates an incredible amount of two-way energy, Bohnett said. Principal bass player Christopher Hanulik called the Bowl concert explosive and said, Even at the first rehearsal we were all looking around at each other saying, 'Whoa, wait a minute, who is this guy?' Added Hanulik: Our relationship with Esa-Pekka is wonderful. There's no acrimony. It's not like anything is going bad or sour. But Dudamel will have his own vision of what he wants to do with the orchestra, Hanulik said. I suspect we might have some composers and music from South and Central America. Hanulik was not among those surprised by Dudamel's appointment. He, along with Chalifour, Bohnett and various other orchestra and board members, served on the liaison committee involved in choosing a Salonen successor. The liaison committee was not appointed specifically to fill Salonen's shoes. It always exists, with various musicians and board members serving two-year shifts. Even when there is no active search pending, the committee asks orchestra members to provide written evaluations of all guest conductors with an eye toward fostering continuing relationships. Through the process, the musicians play a key role in selecting their leaders. In the case of Dudamel, Chalifour said, there were no negative evaluations. The word most musicians used to describe him, Chalifour said, was inspiring. Frank Gehry, the architect of the Philharmonic's home, Disney Hall, has developed a close relationship with Salonen but had high praise Sunday for the conductor's successor. I met Dudamel when he was here, and he and his wife love architecture, so they were all over me, he said with a laugh. I missed the concert, but everybody tells me how wonderful he is and that everybody was trying to get him, so I was amazed that Deborah was the one to get this
[Hornlist] New, Excellent Method Books for Beginners and Intermediate Students?
Greetings to All! I just completed teaching horn at the university level and now I am opening a private studio specializing in beginning and intermediate horn instruction. I taught beginning and intermediate horn many years ago and used some of the methods available then (1984-1988 or so.) Does anyone have recommendations of texts (method books), that I can use to supplement what most of the area band directors are using?- - most are using Essential Elements. I have the Milan Yancich books one and two, but I'm also looking for newer methods in addition to the Yancich. Thank you!!! Roxanne Haskill Johnson City, TN ___ post: horn@music.memphis.edu unsubscribe or set options at http://music2.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
[Hornlist] Beethoven 9th
Greetings from Wildomar Last weeks dialogue about the Eb solo in the above was interesting and disturbing. Certain discrepancies between the article in the 1999 Horn Call and what was said on the list were unchallenged by our astute listers. (See the IHS web site) Whether tradition, sea story, oral history or fairy tale, an accurate telling of the first perfomance is available. Any speculation as to who when where etc is detailed and why is in the footnotes. Happy reading. PS My citrus and Paulonia tomentosa are in bloom and the aroma is wonderful William Botte ___ post: horn@music.memphis.edu unsubscribe or set options at http://music2.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
[Hornlist] New Horn Etude books
I am happy to announce that 3 new etude books for horn are now available. They were written by Dr. Brett Miller, and are based on the music of Strauss, Mahler and Brahms. They are challenging, and will help address difficult orchestral passages and transposition. Please visit www.timberridgemusic.com for more info. Thanks, Ken Bell Don't get soaked. Take a quick peek at the forecast with the Yahoo! Search weather shortcut. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/shortcuts/#loc_weather ___ post: horn@music.memphis.edu unsubscribe or set options at http://music2.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
[Hornlist] Summary: Need opinions on buying a used Holton 178 - part 1
I sincerely appreciate all those who took the time to share their opinions, ideas experience with me a come back player who took a 34 year hiatus. I originally asked if it would be advisable to buy a used Holton 178 that has frozen valves slides for $1500. Here are the private responses I received in no particular order. If I've left out anyone's response, I apologize, it wasn't intention. Sometimes things just slip through the cracks. Since I received these responses in private email, I've w/h names. [My comments in brackets.] Valerie -- Yes, if one of you knows a good repair person that can get it back to working order. If it was owned by a professional, it was probably a pretty good horn, and $1500 would be a decent price. -- Respondant: I've been playing a 178 (among other horns) for over 40 years. Is there anything specific you need to know? Val: I've been playing on a silver H-179. It's very heavy the bell really large for a small gal like me. I can't do stopped horn in that large bell frankly, I have trouble filling this horn with air. I'm looking for a lighter horn with a smaller bell. I've been told (and read) that a yellow brass 178 fits this description, at least for the smaller bell size. I've found a used one with frozen valves slides for $1500 am not sure I want to risk it. From what I heard about this horn is, that the owner only played it professionally for a few years, layed it aside hasn't touched it in about 7 years. (She's retired.) What do you think? I've never bought a used horn before and I'm kinda nervous. Also, if your Holton 178 is yellow brass, would you be able to tell me how much it weighs? My Holton 179 is over six pounds which is VERY heavy for me. I've tried playing a yellow brass Holton 104 which is slightly less than 5 pounds it makes a big difference to me. I've only been playing as a come back horn player for 15 months don't see the need to buy an expensive horn such at this point. I'm hoping to find something for less than $3K. Another question. Are you in the USA, Europe or UK? It seems that most 178's I've seen on the interenet are from UK sources. I'm in the USA. Respondant: Yes, the 179/Conn 8d size bell is much larger in the throat area than the 177/178 Holtons. As far as filling the horn, they are basically the same bore size through the valves and only diverge in the bell branch (the tubing after the valves leading to the bell tail). I personally don't notice that much difference in air requirements, but that probably has as much to do with the mouthpiece as anything. If the horn you are looking at is in decent shape, $1500 is probably a fair price. I prefer the older models (they would be cheaper, but require valve work). Have you checked the serial number and year of manufacture?? I'm from Chicago (but spend more time in Phoenix now than in Illinois), and Chicago is a small bell town, primarily because Carl Geyer worked there and his horns were all small bell horns, so I prefer the more compact sound and get better projection with the small bell. Weight is lighter, but maybe not as much as you would hope (I don't have a scale but always assumed they were about 5 1/2 lbs). I have a Holton 281 that is a LOT heavier than the 178s, but I don't know how the 281 compares to the 179 so that may not provide any point of reference. I hope I've been some help. It would really be beneficial if you could play one before you have to commit. --- A competent brass tech. could free the slides in just a few minutes, and my Holton valves freeze up if the horn sits for more than a few weeks. A lot of oil down the tubing and gentle turning of the valve rotors (by hand, from the bottom of the horn -- not by using the levers!!!) will loosen things up right away. ... If weight is that much of a concern, have you ever tried a compensating double? I have a great yellow brass comp. double (HF Knopf) that plays as well as a full double and only weighs about 4 lbs. Comps get a bad rap here in the US because of all the cheap Italian imports sold in the '50s and '60s, but the Alexander and Knopf comps are every bit a pro horn as their other models, and are widely used professionally in Europe. [I've played on a Hans Hoyer compensating double. The tone was magnificent, response pretty good, but it had a few weak notes in the lower octave.] My recommendation, if you will allow me to make one, is to have the Holton shipped to someone like Chuck Ward (Chardon OH, just east of Cleveland) and pay him the $100 or so (possibly less if I know Chuck) to have him get everything working properly, and then have him ship the horn to you. That cost plus the shipping charges is, to me anyway, a small price to pay to be able to really evaluate the horn. If you don't like it, maybe this person would reinburse you part of the cost because the horn will now be in a condition
[Hornlist] Summary: Need opinions on buying used Holton 178, part 2
The Holton 178 can easily be restored to good playing condition, but $1500 is too much $ for a horn in this condition. I have bought 2 used Holtons in the last 2 years that were $1500 and $1750, and they both played fine without any extensive restoration work. Check on horn player.net, brass arts unlimited or Ken Pope for a better deal. You would be taking a considerable risk if you cannot try the horn for yourself. If the horn you are considering has stuck valves and slides it suggests that the horn was not prepared for long term storage properly. Unsticking the slides and valves may cause damage that will affect the horn's qualities. A good repair technician should be able to free the valves and slides with minimal or even no damage, but that may entail some expense before you get to try the horn, which would be wasted if you found it to be a lemon. My advice would be to ensure that the seller repairs the horn at least to a playable state before you try it. At least then you can get an impression of its qualities prior to committing any cash to the purchase. -- If I were to mention one most important idea regarding buying a horn, is to try it out over a long time, preferably days, weeks. There is more I can say on this. There are so many factors to check regarding the horn's response, plus factoring in your wants/desires in horn response. Actually, this applies to mouthpieces, too. Don't rush into buying anything! If you do purchase it you can then take it to a good repair technician to have it overhauled. --- I don't have much experience buying horns. I bought a new Conn 8D in 1964 when I was 17. Then last Dec. I bought a year 1978 Paxman Bb from a horn playing friend of Sacramento. I paid quite a lot for the Paxman, $2500, but my friend had put nearly $4000 into it and the horn was his primary horn for five years. I had played it briefly before I moved from Sacramento 18 months ago. When he then contacted me whether I wanted it or not, it was a difficult decision since I was then 500 miles away. The bottom line is I am glad (I guess) that I bought it because it is a wonderful horn. Turns out the valves have quite a lot of wear but surprisingly that doesn't affect how well it plays. Now, back to you-- the easiest way to evaluate your situation with the Holton would be to have either a professional level player evaluate it for you or a very good instrument technician to evaluate it. Do you know that the valves and slides are frozen? My 8D sat to 30 years, yet neither the valves nor slides were frozen. The Holton may be fine. If the horn was played professionally (if you know this for sure), that is a very very good indicator that this horn is special in its performance characteristics, since the horn was probably picked out initially for its superior playing. Now, the very worst situation that you could get into would be for the horn to have its valves in such poor condition that they would need to be reconditioned (rebuilt). If this were the case, you should pick one of the half-dozen finest horn techs in the country (send the horn away) and have this done. It would cost $600 to $1000, but you then would essentially have a new horn, similar to having a new engine and transmission for your car. If you got a good price for the horn, the worst case scenario would be buying the horn and then putting in $1000 for reconditioning, and this could still cost you less than a new mass-produced made factory horn yet with much better results. A new Holton would cost around $2500; if this one is in good shape, meaning very few dents and working valves, I would guess $1500 or less would be a great price for you; if it has exceptional playing characteristics with good valves, it could be worth more than a new one. Based on your information ..., I definitely think this horn is worth considering. Another consideration, though, is whether this specific horn and model is right for you-- if you were in a room with 50 horns that you could play, would this make and model be one of your favorites? Horn selection can be frustrating and maddening, but it can also be a fun adventure. -- Frozen valves frozen slides are no criteria to buy a horn or not as this can be fixed quite easily at minimal expenses: Slides: use a bit of very thin synthetic oil, put it at the edge of the slide to pull so the oils can screech between the tubings; use a candle to warm the slide; pull the slide out by holding it firmly twist just a bit; the slide will get lose or - if you use all force for pulling, you will rip the horn apart. A similar procedure works for the valce: first descrew the caps oil it inside on the nipple; try to turn the valve; if necessary use a little piece of wood a very light hammer, so to get the wing on the backside moving. If the valve moves, put more
[Hornlist] Advice for a Noisy H179
Hello Horn Enthusiasts- I bought my daughter a used Holton H179... we had it reconditioned at a reputable music shop. It's a very nice horn with a rich sound, yet it seems to have an ongoing issue of noisy valves. Recently, she has been using Holton rotor oil and it seems even noisier. We've been putting a drop under each rotor cap on a fairly regular basis. The noise almost seems to have a metal to metal sound, even though there are new vinyl bumpers installed. I realize the noise will not go away completely with the H179... but I am asking if any of you have any tips which might help reduce the noise. I am hopeful that there is a somewhat easy solution as she has a solo coming up in the next few weeks and I'd like to avoid major surgery at this time (I'm open to that as a longer term solution though) Thank you!! - TTE ___ post: horn@music.memphis.edu unsubscribe or set options at http://music2.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
[Hornlist] When requesting Nowlen paper
If put this file on my iDisk, anyone could download it from my public folder if they get the free iDisk Utility software. (This is for Windows users. Mac users have this capability already.) I'll put the address on the list if and when it's ready. What do you think? Simon On 2007/04/10, at 2:00, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: subject: [Hornlist] When requesting Nowlen paper ... send the request to the person making the offer. Don't send your request to this 1000-member list. Others making similar offers of papers-- suggest in your post that requesters reply directly to you and not to the list. Thanks. Larry ___ post: horn@music.memphis.edu unsubscribe or set options at http://music2.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
Re: [Hornlist] Advice for a Noisy H179
From: TED EVERITT [EMAIL PROTECTED] I bought my daughter a used Holton H179... we had it reconditioned at a reputable music shop. Hmmm, what does reconditioned mean? It's a very nice horn with a rich sound, yet it seems to have an ongoing issue of noisy valves. Recently, she has been using Holton rotor oil and it seems even noisier. We've been putting a drop under each rotor cap on a fairly regular basis. The noise almost seems to have a metal to metal sound, even though there are new vinyl bumpers installed. The serious problem is not noise. The serious problem is compression and/or bearing wear. When your shop reconditioned the horn, did they mention the compression of the valves? There are two easy you-can-do-this-at-home tests for the condition of valves: For each of the 6 valve slides, and for the Bb tuning slide, remove the slide and reinsert, creating pressure in the slide tube. Wait a second or two and then depress the associated valve. If you don't hear a pop, the valve is leaky and needs to be replated or rebuilt. Actually, you can hear air escaping around a leaky valve when you insert a slide even without depressing the valve. An oiled valve in good condition should not leak air. For each of the four valves, seize the valve spindle (the thing the cord goes around) and see if you can wiggle it. Try this with the value both in rest position and depressed position. If there is any play in the valves (especially if you can duplicate the valve noise) then the valve bearings are shot and need to be replaced. I realize the noise will not go away completely with the H179... but I am asking if any of you have any tips which might help reduce the noise. I am hopeful that there is a somewhat easy solution as she has a solo coming up in the next few weeks and I'd like to avoid major surgery at this time (I'm open to that as a longer term solution though) Thank you!! If the valves pass these serious (synonym for expensive-to-fix) tests, then there are other places where valve mechanism can produce noise. See if anything is loose on the lever bearing shaft (the rod the strings are wrapped around) and perhaps try putting some heavier oil on the springs. But most valve noise, at least on string activated valves, is caused by worn rotors or worn bearings. The problem is _not_ the noise, since you will only hear it when you are thinking about it. The problem is that worn valves do not seal adequately, and this will seriously degrade the notches in the high range. (In engineering terms, the leaks reduce the Q of the horn as resonator.) ___ post: horn@music.memphis.edu unsubscribe or set options at http://music2.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
Re: [Hornlist] When requesting Nowlen paper
Sounds good to me, Simon, though the present horse has already left the barn...between 80 and 90 requests for Pete's paper have already been satisfied, and demand is now slackening. But this might well be a good way to handle this sort of thing in the future, and also build a repository of documents. Fred - Original Message From: Simon Varnam [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: horn@music.memphis.edu Sent: Monday, April 9, 2007 7:46:48 PM Subject: [Hornlist] When requesting Nowlen paper If put this file on my iDisk, anyone could download it from my public folder if they get the free iDisk Utility software. (This is for Windows users. Mac users have this capability already.) I'll put the address on the list if and when it's ready. What do you think? Simon On 2007/04/10, at 2:00, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: subject: [Hornlist] When requesting Nowlen paper ... send the request to the person making the offer. Don't send your request to this 1000-member list. Others making similar offers of papers-- suggest in your post that requesters reply directly to you and not to the list. Thanks. Larry ___ post: horn@music.memphis.edu unsubscribe or set options at http://music2.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/fbaucom%40sbcglobal.net ___ post: horn@music.memphis.edu unsubscribe or set options at http://music2.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
RE: [Hornlist] Advice for a Noisy H179
Noise mostly occurs after fitting the valves, as they get more space to move vertically resulting in this clack-clack. But this does not affect the playing too much, except one plays very rapid sixteenth passages (rarely) or machine-trills, when the horn might sound like a machinegun. Help ? New bearings ! The repairmen has to make new bearings (the plate behind the valve cap) and make a tighter tapered hole in the middle, to hinder the rotors vertical movement. === -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of TED EVERITT Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2007 2:12 AM To: horn@music.memphis.edu Subject: [Hornlist] Advice for a Noisy H179 Hello Horn Enthusiasts- I bought my daughter a used Holton H179... we had it reconditioned at a reputable music shop. It's a very nice horn with a rich sound, yet it seems to have an ongoing issue of noisy valves. Recently, she has been using Holton rotor oil and it seems even noisier. We've been putting a drop under each rotor cap on a fairly regular basis. The noise almost seems to have a metal to metal sound, even though there are new vinyl bumpers installed. I realize the noise will not go away completely with the H179... but I am asking if any of you have any tips which might help reduce the noise. I am hopeful that there is a somewhat easy solution as she has a solo coming up in the next few weeks and I'd like to avoid major surgery at this time (I'm open to that as a longer term solution though) Thank you!! - TTE ___ post: horn@music.memphis.edu unsubscribe or set options at http://music2.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/hans%40pizka. de ___ post: horn@music.memphis.edu unsubscribe or set options at http://music2.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
