January 8, 2009 by Bruce Hembd

Archived under: Humor, Reviews

Review: Eldon Matlick’s “Editorials”


Another excellent resource for horn players

In order to recruit students and provide a public service, quite a few horn professors have created fairly elaborate web sites with excellent horn-related information. In previous posts, I have already remarked on web sites by Tom Bacon and John Ericson – another great resource lies in Dr. Eldon Matlick’s web site at music.ou.edu/applied/horn/

Dr. Matlick is an experienced player who is the Professor of Horn at the University of Oklahoma School of Music. I have never met Dr. Matlick personally but I have heard many positive things from his students.

The “Editorials” section of his university horn studio page has a nice library of articles – I particularly enjoyed his article on the assistant horn, “The Role and Importance of the Assistant Horn.” I can identify with many of his points, especially:

I believe that it is an insult to any hornist to have to sit on stage for long periods of time without anything to play. The Principal at times needs to get a reality check if they plan to use an Assistant. How frustrating it would be to sit for 5-10 without anything to play and then be asked to enter on a pianissimo f#”. This would be similar to setting up someone to fail. If such an entrance is desired, perhaps the assistant could come in earlier and have a chance to get the lips flexed and prepared.

Too many times have I seen an assistant horn expected to do the most ridiculous things after longs periods of rest and no preparation.

Separated at birth?

On the lighter side, I was wondering… doesn’t Dr. Matlick look a bit like a younger version of television host James Lipton?

Review: Eldon Matlicks Editorials

BRUCE HEMBD is a web marketing developer by day who plays French horn professionally at night.» More information about Bruce Hembd » More articles by Bruce Hembd » Contact

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Review: Eldon Matlick’s “Editorials”
Published on January 8, 2009 by Bruce Hembd

Archived under: Humor, Reviews
John Ericson & Bruce Hembd
on the French horn, brass related topics, and the field of classical music.