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A milestone that has passed is the 50th anniversary of the founding of the International Horn Society. Congratulations! While it was founded at the 1970 International Horn Workshop, the first workshop fully hosted by the IHS was in 1971, so it is a fitting time to look back at 50+ years of the IHS.
Why do we have an IHS?
The initial purpose of the IHS – and a central purpose today – was to put on an annual horn workshop (aka the International Horn Symposium). As then IHS president Douglas Hill wrote in the October 1979 issue of The Horn Call, the International Horn Society grew out of an existing event, the Annual Horn Workshop, which was first held in 1969.
It seems necessary to briefly discuss our relationship to the Annual International Horn Workshops. The tradition of such an event began in Tallahassee, Florida before there was an International Horn Society. It was from the strong feelings of fellowship experienced at the early workshops that the foundation of a society such as ours grew. So, in contrast to the relationships found between other instrumental societies and their workshops, we, the I.H.S., are a product rather than a parent of the Annual Horn Workshop tradition.
This year, with the challenges of COVID, their 53rd symposium is online. It should be in person next year, but no announcements have been made. Traditionally they formally announce the next symposium at the business meeting at the current symposium, so be watching for an announcement on their website or social media.
And a journal
The other initial benefit to the horn world in general was the creation of their journal, The Horn Call. The first issue was put out in February of 1971. At a time with no Internet, this publication was hugely important, and was one of the main reasons to join. It quickly became the leading place for horn news and scholarship, and I’ve enjoyed reading it and seeing my own writings in it for many years.
Fast forward to a time of challenges
And here we are in 2021. The world is much different than it was back in 1971.
Before I comment more, I should clearly disclose that I served two terms on the Advisory Council and have received their Harold Meek and Punto awards. I am positive about the IHS as an organization, but at this point I’m basically an informed outside observer.
Also, I realize that there are many fans of the IHS out there that could take any perceived negative commentary wrongly. What follows are not intended as criticisms, but rather as observations. I see a number of challenges that a new generation of leadership will need to address.
Challenge: Less reason to join
Back in 1970s for sure if you wanted any horn news or information you needed to be in the IHS. I joined as a high school senior in 1979, and that was my biggest motivation. In fact, within Horn Matters there is a series of seven articles on my first issue of The Horn Call (well worth a read!); it and the issues that followed were a hugely influential to me as a horn student.
Today, the journal is better than ever and provides a wonderful service to the horn playing world.
But then again, where are you reading this article right now? You have many alternatives to IHS publications, including sites like Horn Matters, an explosion of content on Instagram and YouTube, and Facebook groups such as Horn People (which has many more members than the IHS itself).
The big issue here for the IHS is a younger generation is not going to turn first to The Horn Call. The first source to search is Google, and as a result the average hornist has less reason to join.
Challenge: An online world
Of course, the IHS website is an online resource for members, with members only content serving as an additional incentive to join.
I say this as gently as I can — the website could use some updating. For example, I personally cut over 200 articles from Horn Matters this summer and updated hundreds more. I hope some editorial process like that is happening at the IHS Online. More disclosure, some years ago I managed the IHS site. When I visit now, I am always noticing content that has been hardly altered in 20 years. And it is OK content, but not all content is timeless, and things need freshened up.
I also say this very gently, but really, the IHS approach to the entire online world is not what it could be. I know this area is difficult for an established professional society, but I really hope they make more of an effort on this.
A related aside I am reminded of occurred at the international symposium at Western Illinois University in 2009. One of the featured artists was Annamia Larsson (Eriksson). When she came out to perform there was such a buzz of excitement in the audience from about half the audience! And the other half what looking around wondering what they had missed. What they missed was her viral video! Which currently has over 2,000,000 views, the one below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MkMdlfl8HgThe same divide exists today, but probably even larger than then. There are hornists that are highly followed on Instagram, artists that a large group of younger horn players would find to be a very exciting choice as a featured guest at a workshop, but an older player would not even know who they are. The IHS needs to embrace the players that are making their way forward in the field, go beyond the horns of the past. The same old “stars” really should not be featured repeatedly at events.
Challenge: Financial
At one point not too long ago, I was researching the financial condition of the IHS for a possible Horn Matters article. They put public statements on their financial condition in The Horn Call and in their website, although as of this writing (summer 2021) the most recent one posted there is from 2019. In any case, I eventually decided it was not my place to do an expose on this topic, but to my eye their financial condition was not great. Interested readers can research it further, this is all public info.
From a general horn public perspective, I think what we should be watching for is how they address this challenge, as it impacts all their programs.
Going back to the topic of their upcoming 2021 symposium being online, two other recent events of a comparable nature were online and were free (the Kendall Betts Horn Camp and the Rafael Mendez Brass Institute), and I suspect did pretty well financially, due to donations. It is a different model, as the upcoming IHS event costs $ to attend. Hopefully they still do well, but they need your support.
Where is the next one?
Looking ahead, it will be very interesting to see what they have planned for a 2022 symposium. Traditionally they have the event alternating between USA and international locations.
At some point I would think they might consider having the international workshop every other year, as some other comparable societies do. But with the annual workshop so engrained in the IHS culture that may be a while in the future.
Closing on a positive note
It has been very exciting to see a few “real” workshops and summer festivals begin to occur this summer, coming out of the pandemic. I know in my own position at ASU we have been officially told to expect to be teaching in person this fall. I’m excited for the post-pandemic world and the horn. I believe we could have a strong uptick in the demand for live music, there is an inherent visceral impact that people have missed. By extension I’m hopeful that also leads to an uptick in interest in the horn – an uptick that helps us all, launching the IHS well into their second 50 years.
