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Playing in Orchestra

Articles with a focus on the orchestral side of things

Lessons in Vienna, part III: Brahms 2 in depth

This series of articles expands on notes taken by Nicholas Smith in lessons with Roland Berger in 1977. Next he wanted to hear the Brahms...

Lessons in Vienna, part II: Till Eulenspiegel

This series of articles expands on notes taken by Nicholas Smith in lessons with Roland Berger in 1977. He told me to pull out Till...

From the Mailbag: What to do when there is No Time...

A question came in regarding a specific work that had sections marked muted but there was no time allowed to put in or take...

On the Horn Parts in the Scherzo of Mahler 5

One of the great orchestral works featuring the horn is the Symphony No. 5 of Mahler. The full work itself has six horn parts....

Two Practical Tips on How to be a Smarter and Happier...

When playing with any classical music ensemble - whether it be large or small - it is really not enough to be technically accomplished...

Essential Information: Use of the Assistant First Horn

Among recent updates to my Horn Articles Online site was the restoration to the site an article on the use of the assistant first...

Anatomy of an Orchestra Gig: Getting Out-of-Town and Staying Overnight

When working in Chicago as a freelancer many years ago, a portion of my work involved commuting very long distances. For a few jobs...

Hearing Under Siege

Under siege For about 10 years now, I have been faithfully using custom musician ear plugs whenever a rehearsal dynamic exceeds 90 decibels. I do...

A Glimpse into the Horn I Book of the Duo Operas...

For the first production of the 2011-2012 Arizona Opera season, I am bumping up from third to principal horn on a pairing of two...

“Horns are a Quarter-Beat Late”–A Response

This article came to mind in answering a recent question that came in, and a bit of searching told me that it was not...