Horn

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Welcome to the horn studio at the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø College of Music!

The horn studio consists ofÌýundergraduate and graduate students; our graduate students have completed their undergraduate work at such prestigious institutions as The Juilliard School, Manhattan School of Music, Cleveland Institute, Eastman School of Music, Mannes College of MusicÌýand Arizona State University. Ensembles afford undergraduates a unique opportunity to perform alongside graduate students, allowing undergraduates to benefit from the graduate students expertise on a regular basis.

The horn studio has Graduate Teaching Assistantships available in both Woodwind Quintet and Brass Quintet. Both of these ensembles have placed in national and/or international competitions (Fischoff, Plowman, MTNA and others). Teaching Assistants run sectionals, hold office hoursÌýand have the opportunity to develop their pedagogy by working withÌýundergraduate students.

During their time at the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, graduate and exceptional undergraduate students are encouraged to work in the many professional ensembles available in our region. Horn students perform regularly as full-time members or extra musicians with ensembles including the Colorado Symphony, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Philharmonic, Greeley Philharmonic, Fort Collins SymphonyÌýand the Central City Opera Orchestra.ÌýIn the past seven years, a majority ofÌýregional orchestral positions (over 75%) has been won by members of the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø College of Music horn studio.

Alumni of the horn studio hold professional positions in orchestras and universities around the world, including Hong Kong Philharmonic, Jerusalem Symphony, U.S. Army Bands, Montevideo Philharmonic (Uruguay), Amazon Philharmonic (Brazil), Glens Falls Symphony (NY), University of Wyoming, Denver Metropolitan State UniversityÌýand many others.

Undergraduate degree programs Graduate degree programs Recent alumni highlights Past alumni highlights Past guests
Undergraduate degree programs

There are three music major degree programs available to undergraduate horn students at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø,Ìýdesigned to accommodate the needs of all types of potential music majors:

  • Bachelor of Music in Performance (BM) is a highly intensive approach to performance with the goal to be gainfully employed as a performer and/or teacher at the college level.
  • Bachelor of Music in Education (BME) is a program with a strong emphasis on performance as a key aspect of teaching others how to perform.ÌýThis program also explores various facets of education and music pedagogy in depth.
  • Bachelor of Arts in Music (BA) is a program with less intense musical rigor, but can be tailored to a students individual needs and interest. There may be a strong emphasis on lessons, performanceÌýand ensemble participation, if the student so desires.ÌýThis program is well-suited to students also interested in other academic or musical pursuits.

There are also three degrees offered at the graduate level:

  • Master of Music in Horn Performance (MM) is a highly intensive approach to performance with the goal to be gainfully employed as a performer and/or teacher at the college level.
  • Master of Music in Horn Performance and Pedagogy (MM) is almost identical to the MM in performance with the exception of different course requirements. This degree is for those interested in anÌýintense approach to performance as well as a pedagogical background to offer a broader range of career options.
  • Doctor of Musical Arts in Horn Performance and Pedagogy (DMA) is the highest degree offered at the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø College of Music. DMA students develop highly individualized curricula in pursuit of their personal career goals.

Alumni

Performance

  • 2027 Nathan Bonin: Wyoming Symphony, Second Horn
  • 2026 Jordan Spivack: Wyoming Symphony, Principal Horn
  • 2024 Max Braun: Hawaii Symphony, Second Horn
  • 2024 Phillip Palmore: San Francisco Ballet and Opera Orchestras, Second Horn
  • 2023 Maria Long: New Mexico Philharmonic, Associate/Third Horn
  • 2022 Valerie Sly: Alabama Symphony, Principal Horn
  • 2020 Megan Hurley: Baltimore Symphony, Associate Horn (one-year)
  • 2018 Jason Friedman: The Cleveland Orchestra, Substitute/Extra Musician
  • 2017 Taryn Lee: New World Symphony, Horn Fellow

Arts administrationÌý

  • 2022 Joy Xiaodan: Colorado Ballet, Director of Patron Services
  • 2020 Erika Hollister: Curtis Institute of Music, Marketing Specialist
  • 2013 Jonathan Groszew: Colorado Symphony, Director of Personnel
  • 2003 Lacey Huzscza: Richmond Symphony, Executive Director

Teaching

  • 2022 Dilon Bryan: University of North Georgia, Instructor of Horn
  • 2019 Carrie Proctor Borjas: Westview Middle School, Director of Bands, CO Young Music Educator of the Year 2022
  • 2017 Claire Glover: Mountain Ridge Middle School, Director of Bands, CO Young Music Educator of the Year 2020
  • Nate Bonin (BM ’28)—Wyoming Symphony Orchestra, Second Horn
  • Jordan Spivack (MM ’26)—Wyoming Symphony Orchestra, Principal Horn
  • Daniel Skib (DMA ’26)—51³Ô¹ÏÍø Philharmonic, Fourth Horn
  • Max Braun (MM ’24)—Hawaii Symphony, Second Horn
  • Maria Long (DMA ’23)—New Mexico Philharmonic, Third/Associate Horn
  • Phillip Palmore (DMA ’23)—San Francisco Ballet Orchestra, Fourth Horn; 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Philharmonic, Fourth Horn (former)
  • Kira Goya (MM ’23)—Billings (MT) Symphony, Fourth Horn; Bakersfield (CA) Symphony Orchestra, Second Horn
  • Abbie French (MM ’23)—Sound of Music Global Tour (Asia), Solo Horn
  • Joy Xiaodan (MM ’23)—Colorado Ballet, Patron Services Manager; Colorado Symphony, Associate Manager of Sales and Patron Services (former)
  • Dilon Bryan (DMA ’22)—University of North Georgia, Horn Instructor
  • Valerie Sly (DMA ’22)—Alabama Symphony, Principal Horn; Des Moines Metro Opera, Third Horn
  • Michael Sgrecci (MM ’22)—Bozeman (MT) Symphony, Second Horn
  • Ben Shafer (MM ’20)—Cheyenne Symphony, Principal Horn; Fort Collins Symphony, Principal Horn; Instructor of Horn, Regis University
  • Megan Hurley (BM ’20)—Baltimore Symphony, Associate Principal Horn; Phoenix Symphony, Second Horn (former); Sarajevo Philharmonic, Second Horn (former)
  • Erika Hollister (BM ’20)—Temple University, Wind/Brass Program Coordinator
  • Josh East (MM ’19)—Tulsa Symphony, Second Horn; Central City Opera, Fourth Horn
  • Raya Panova (AD ’19)—Fort Collins Symphony, Second Horn
  • Chandler Spoon (MM ’19)—Colorado Springs Philharmonic, Principal Horn; Central City Opera, Second Horn
  • Carrie Proctor (BME ’19)—Colorado Young Music Educator of the Year 2022
  • Clark Stewart (MM ’18)—Sun Symphony (Vietnam), Second Horn
  • Jason Friedman (BM ’18)—Hawaii Symphony, Fourth Horn; Fort Collins Symphony, Fourth Horn (former); Greeley Philharmonic, Assistant Horn (former)
  • Jonathan Johnston (DMA ’17)—University of Idaho, Assistant Professor of Horn; Fort Collins Symphony, Principal Horn; University of Wyoming, Horn Professor (former)
  • Taryn Lee (BM ’17)—New World Symphony, Horn Fellow
  • Maggie Rickard (BM ’17)—Sarajevo Philharmonic, Second Horn (former)
  • Cort Roberts (BM ’17)—Orquestra Filarmónica de Sonora (Mexico), Principal Horn
  • Jordan Miller (MM ’17)—Air Force Academy Band, Horn
  • Shannon Hagan (BME ’15)—Noorlandsoperans Symphony (Sweden), Third Horn; Orchestra NOW, Principal Horn (former)
  • Selena Adams (DMA ’14)—United States Army Field Band, Second Horn
  • Rebecca Fathman (BM ’14)—Solo Horn, Sound of Music National Tour; Solo Horn, Beauty and the Beast National Tour; Sarajevo Philharmonic Orchestra, Second Horn (former)
  • Katherine Smith (DMA ’14)—University of Wyoming, Horn Professor
  • Jonathan Groszew (MM ’13)—Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Personnel Manager
  • Isabel DeBoel (BM ’12)—Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Development
  • Malcolm McLean (BM ’12)—Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra, Fourth Horn
  • Kevin Lam (MM ’11)—Glens Falls Symphony (NY), Second Horn
  • Carlie Kilgore (MM ’09)—Cayuga Chamber Orchestra (NY), Second Horn; Cabrillo Music Festival, Assistant Horn
  • Alexander George (DMA ’09)—Executive Assistant to the Dean, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø; Denver Metropolitan State College, Horn Professor (former)
  • Rebecca Bainbridge (BM ’09)—United States Army Field Band, Third Horn; 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Philharmonic, Assistant Principal Horn
  • Scott Holben (BM ’08)—Macao Symphony Orchestra (China), Second Horn; Festival Mozaic (CA), Second Horn
  • Mark Wiebe (BM ’07)—Amazonas Filharmonicas (Brazil), Third Horn
  • Andrew Houde (MM ’07)—York College (PA), Horn Professor; Mid-Atlantic Symphony, Second Horn
  • Megan Garrison (MM ’06)—Orquesta Sinfónica de las Artes (Mexico), Third Horn; Fort Collins Symphony, Assistant Horn; Antero Wind Quintet
  • Matthew Eckenhoff (MM ’06)—Colorado Symphony, Fourth Horn; New Orleans Symphony Orchestra, Second Horn (former); New World Symphony, Horn (former); Honolulu Symphony, Fourth Horn (former)
  • Jeffrey Rubin (MM ’06)—51³Ô¹ÏÍø Philharmonic, Second Horn; Cheyenne Symphony, Second Horn
  • Alexis Bainbridge (DMA ’05)—US Army Music School, Horn Instructor
  • Stephen Slater (MM ’04)—Richmond Symphony, Assistant Principal Horn; Jerusalem Symphony, Assistant Horn (former); Philadelphia Orchestra, Artist Relations (former)
  • Benjamin Greenberg (MM ’04)—Jerusalem Symphony, Second Horn
  • Lisa Rogers (BM ’04)—Düsseldorfer Symphoniker, Solo Horn; Hong Kong Symphony, Co-Principal Horn (former); Theater und Orchester Heidelberg, Associate Horn (former)
  • Jennifer Dodson (MM ’03)—California Polytechnic State University, Horn Professor; Central City Opera, Third Horn (former)
  • Lacey Huszcza (BM ’03)—Richmond Symphony, Executive Director
  • Jamie Campbell (BM ’01)—Montevideo Philharmonic (Uruguay), Principal Horn; 101st Airborne Division Band, US Army

Each year, the horn studio is proud to present a major guest artist; the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Horn Guest Artist Series has become a key horn event at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø.ÌýStudents from area universities have also attended recitals and master classes presented by these artists who include:

  • 2026 Liz Freimuth: Cincinnati Symphony (retired); Rice University
  • 2026 John Mason: LA Studio Horn; Horn Repair Specialist
  • 2026 Dan Vidican: Lukas Horns; Memphis Symphony (retired)
  • 2025 Matthew Eckenhoff: Colorado Symphony
  • 2025 Meghan Guegold Hege: The Cleveland Orchestra
  • 2025 Kolio Plachkov: Colorado Symphony
  • 2024 Rachel Childers: Boston Symphony Orchestra
  • 2024 Selena Maytum: US Army Field Band
  • 2024 Valerie Sly: Alabama Symphony

Michael Thornton

Michael Thornton enjoys a distinguished and varied career as an orchestral performer, chamber musician, soloist and pedagogue. Thornton has performed on six continents with acclaimed ensembles and has presented master classes at prestigious musical institutions, including The Juilliard School, the Curtis Institute of Music, Rice University, the Royal Northern College of Music (UK) and the Sydney Conservatorium of Music (AU). Thornton holds concurrent appointments as Principal Horn of both the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and the Colorado Symphony. He joined the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra in 2017 and joined the Colorado Symphony Orchestra during the 1997 season, and in this capacity has worked with renowned classical and popular artists from Yo Yo Ma, Lang Lang, Renee Fleming, songwriter Randy Newman and Phish frontman Trey Anistasio. Before joining the CSO, he left his studies at The Juilliard School to become the Principal Horn of the Honolulu Symphony. MORE

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