The Horn Call Podcast
The Horn Call Podcast
hornsociety
The official podcast of the International Horn Society. This is a monthly podcast featuring interviews with Horn Call authors, archived audio from past IHS symposia, and other news and updates in the horn world.Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during this series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of the International Horn Society.
Episode 73: Elizabeth Freimuth
Our guest for Episode 73 is Elizabeth Freimuth, professor of horn in the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, former principal horn of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and a member of the IHS Advisory Council! Episode Highlights   Teaching full time at her Alma Mater, Rice University Differences between teaching full time and performing in an orchestra full time. Changes in teaching philosophy over the years Balancing analytical mindset vs. performance mindset Importance of the IHS International Horn Competition of America Technology and horn playing/teaching “It’s a very distracting world…” Cincinnati Symphony/Pops stories Keeping playing fundamentals in order
May 15
52 min
Episode 72: Matias Piñera
Join us in Episode 72 for a conversation with Matias Piñera, Solo horn of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra! Episode Highlights Important influences Preparing for the Munich Philharmonic audition, audition process Living and working in Germany, and what he misses most about Chile Teaching position at the Mozarteum Academy. Balancing teaching and performing Latin Band Los Pitutos https://youtu.be/4EgTgsDeZww?si=6wHp40i6HM9ZZkGm developed new instrument How the International Horn Society been important in his career.
Apr 15
52 min
Episode 71: Kate Caliendo
Our guest for Episode 71 is Kate Caliendo! Kate enjoys a diverse musical career of symphonic playing, chamber music, recording, soloing and teaching. She is currently Second Horn of the Jacksonville Symphony and has also held Fourth Horn positions with the Houston Symphony and San Antonio Symphony. Episode Highlights Getting started on the horn Neurodivergence as a musician New teaching position: University of North Florida Round Top Music Festival A multi-faceted approach to modern careers: gigging, teaching, playing, social media “If you are making music, you are a musician.” New project: Moonflower, for unaccompanied solo Horn Charleston Horn Camp Maintaining Inspiration as an artist IHS importance Social Media: Kate Caliendo or Kate Caliendo Horn Katecaliendo.com [email protected]
Mar 15
46 min
Episode 70: Dr. Derek J. Wright
Join us in Episode 70 for a conversation with Dr. Derek J. Wright!  Derek plays 3rd horn with the award-winning Dallas Winds and in the West Texas Symphony. He has performed with several major orchestras including the Fort Worth Symphony and the Dallas Symphony. Dr. Wright is also a co-owner of Houghton Horns. He has contributed to the design of horns and mouthpieces for the Verus brand and frequently speaks on instrument design and acoustics at various educational institutions. Episode Highlights Horn playing journey, education, influences, etc. Studying with Kazimierz Machala at the University of Illinois, followed by Masters at University of Minnesota, Doctorate at Arizona State University Moving to Texas, getting started with Houghton Horns, and eventually becoming a co-owner Houghton Horns Retail Shop and Repair Shop are two different businesses “Bad practice is worse than no practice…” Horn/mouthpiece design Marketing, communication, and other aspects of the business Skills learned as a musician that have been helpful in business, and vice-versa Upcoming projects/developments New Houghton Horns building with concert hall Importance of the IHS to you and Houghton Horns “I need to always learn…” National Association of Music Merchandisers National Association of School Music Dealers, Inc Molly Gebrian, Learn Faster, Perform Better: A Musician's Guide to the Neuroscience of Practicing The Savvy Musician by David Cutler
Feb 1
1 hr 1 min
Episode 69: Wojciech Kamionka
Our guest for this episode of The Horn Call podcast is Wojciech Kamionka, the host of IHS 58 in Poland! Episode Highlights Musical journey, current teaching position IHS58 preparations, news/updates What IHS58 attendees can expect Musical life in Poland, opportunities for horn players Polish Music Edition: New method book  Scales and Arpeggios book: Penderecki Academy Press
Jan 15
44 min
Episode 68: Heidi Oros
Our guest for this episode of The Horn Call Podcast is the ebullient Heidi Oros!  Heidi professional freelance hornist in the Finger Lakes area and is a former second hornist with La Orquesta Sinfónica del Estado de México. Heidi is a founding member (2006) of the woodwind ensemble, “i venti dementi,” and has been the hornist with the Swamp College Brass Quintet since 2007. Most recently, she joined the Lake Effect Winds, a woodwind quintet situated in Ithaca. Heidi earned her BM and MM at Ithaca College. She teaches private horn lessons in Trumansburg. Episode Highlights Personal journey on the horn, important teachers/inspirations along the way Keys to Transposition Book: https://www.keystotransposition.com/ Performing in Mexico Organizing performances of Lionheart's Call by James Naigus to honor healthcare workers: jamesnaigus.com Taking time off and coming back to the horn High Range Magic: https://marsgelfo.com/hrm-overview/ Zoom Meetings with Jack Covert/Memorial Concert Importance of the IHS, symposiums, community, etc.
Dec 15, 2025
47 min
Episode 67: Scott Schiffer Leger
Our guest for Episode 67 is the incredible Scott Schiffer Leger! Widely known for his fun and educational videos, Scott is a member of the Louisville Orchestra and is in high demand as clinician, teacher, and soloist. Episode Highlights Balancing a career and lots of other obligations Performing in the New World Symphony Early video work, getting into social media Learning new skills, saying yes! “Experience is valuable” Shoutout to Jennifer Montone! Having fun playing the horn, taking away the stigma of high and low range How has content creation changed over the last few years “AI has changed the name of the game.” Importance of not taking yourself too seriously
Nov 15, 2025
1 hr 1 min
Episode 66: Christopher Brigham
Our guest for Episode 66 is Christopher Brigham! Chris is an American horn player and educator who is currently living in Cologne, Germany, with an active freelance career and private teaching studio. He is the author of "Olga’s Last Call: The Horns of Auschwitz" in the April 2025 issue of The Horn Call.  Episode Highlights Early studies with Mike Harcrow, Karen Houghton Studying at West Texas A&M University, then Hartt School (David Wakefield) Studying in Germany (Essen, Detmold) Recovering from focal dystonia Auditions in Germany Switching to an Alexander 103 horn Klaus Fehr Horns: https://fehr-frenchhorns.com/ Teaching/Freelancing in Germany https://www.muvac.com Article in The Horn Call, Olga’s Last Call: The Horns of Auschwitz Conducting an enthusiast horn ensemble at IHS symposia
Oct 15, 2025
50 min
Episode 65: Kristina Mascher-Turner
Join me in Episode 65 for a conversation with the amazing Kristina Mascher-Turner!  Episode Highlights Early inspirations, musical and otherwise Early training on the horn Attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison and studying with Douglas Hill “You have to fall in love with fundamentals.” Studying/Working/Living in Europe Advice for horn players looking to study/work abroad Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra Work with the American Horn Quartet (hornquartet.com), chamber music AHQ Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBz4drOokaM New teaching position in Ghent, Belgium: KASK & Conservatorium School of Arts in Ghent schoolofartsgent.be Favorite exercises for the horn, teaching philosophy, etc.
Sep 15, 2025
44 min
Episode 64: Ken Pope
Our guest for Episode 64 is the amazing Ken Pope! Ken is the owner of Pope Horns and has been a member of the IHS Advisory Council. Episode Highlights Early Musical Journey and Transition to Horn Repair Career in Instrument Repair and Sales Instrument Maintenance and Repair: The single most important maintenance tip for brass instruments is to oil the valves. Balancing Performance and Business Advice for Aspiring Repairers/Retailers Current State of the Business and Future The International Horn Society
Aug 15, 2025
51 min
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