The symposium, which took place July 30 through Aug. 4 at Ball State University, featured clinics led by internationally recognized horn players and performances by prestigious groups, such as the Chicago Symphony, Paris Opera and U.S. Marine Band. Participating students and faculty also had a number of performance opportunities of their own throughout the week.
"This symposium is an invaluable opportunity for students, performers and educators alike, allowing us to hear and learn from the best in the field from around the world," said Dr. Ashley Cumming, assistant professor of horn. "Students develop their musical ears, engage with other students and professionals, learn new repertoire and techniques, access resources not readily available and receive feedback from top pedagogues."
Murray State horn students who attended and performed at the symposium include Leslie Blume (Saint Anthony, Indiana), Anaea Dossey (Franklin, Tennessee), Elena Hammann (St. Louis, Missouri), Timothy Kratochvil (Evansville, Indiana), Hayden Lefevre (Kevil, Kentucky), Madison Marsh (Scottsville, Kentucky), Gideon Miller (Almo, Kentucky), Zach Samuelson (Lakeland, Tennessee), Anna Schaust (Flat Rock, Indiana) and Megan Washburn (New Baden, Illinois).
"Students prepared for this symposium for two years," Cumming said. "And, over the summer, they continued to work independently, submitting online peer reviews and performances for one another while gearing up for the intensive week of performances and competitions."
During the symposium, the University's horn ensemble led by Cumming, presented a 30-minute recital. Two sets of student quartets and an octet of students also competed in small ensemble competitions. In preparation for the symposium, the students performed throughout the Murray community at local schools and a senior living home.
The symposium also served as the premieres for "Heroic Brew," a composition by Dr. Mike D'Ambrosio, composition professor, and for "Stone and Sky," a composition by Dr. Peter Terry, assistant director of Academic Applications Solutions at Murray State. Both compositions were performed at the symposium by the students.
Cumming herself participated with a group called Hoosier Horns, a quartet of female hornists performing the works of female composers, during the symposium. Additionally, Dr. John Dressler, professor of music, presented a lecture and recital on music for three unaccompanied French horns in conjunction with Dr. Randall Faust of Western Illinois University and Darin Sorley of the University of Indianapolis.
"As teachers, both Dr. Dressler and I enjoyed hearing new approaches to teaching and musicianship, finding inspiration in the dozens of daily performances," Cumming said.
Visit murraystate.edu/music for more information about upcoming performances by students and faculty members in the University's music department.
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