Workshop Report by Marilyn Bone Kloss

On Sunday, after guided warm-ups, three horn ensembles participated in local church services. I was recruited at the last minute to join an octet conducted by Susan LaFever at the College Street Congregational Church, where we were warmly welcomed and the music appreciated.

For those who remained at the University, John Clark led a session on jazz improvisation, which ended with lively discussion that could have continued for hours.

At our organizational meeting, we discussed how the attendance, music, sessions, and finances were turning out. Attendance was better than expected, with an especially strong showing in the student solo competitions. The Saturday evening concert with Vermont Wind Ensemble was described as “spectacular.” Although too early to know for sure at that point, it looked as though the finances were going to break even. Laura Klock volunteered to continue organizing the student competitions, and Lydia Busler-Blais, who had overseen the recruitment of exhibitors, volunteered to continue in that role for future workshops.

A panel discussion with many of the featured artists covered a wide range of topics, including interesting historical anecdotes.

The final concert featured the winners of the student competitions, solos and octets by featured artists, a jazz set, and more than forty horn players in a mass choir conducted by Michael Schaff.

Featured groups for the workshop included the Green Mountain Horn Club (whose members volunteered for many support jobs), the Crane Horn Choir, and the Vermont Wind Ensemble conducted by D. Thomas Toner. Featured horn soloists included Jeffrey Agrell (University of Iowa), John Boden (Portland Symphony), Lydia Busler-Blais (Vermont teacher and free-lancer), John Clark (NYC jazz and free-lancer), Rebecca Dodson-Webster (Mansfield University), Kelly Drifmeyer (Crane School of Music), Patricia Evans (Winnipeg Symphony), Laura Klock (University of Massachusetts-Amherst), Susan LaFever (NYC free-lancer and teacher), Todd Martin (Canadian Mennonite University), Alan Parshley (host, Vermont Symphony and UVM). Other contributors include Cynthia Huard (piano), Priscilla Douglas (audiologist), David Kaslow (author), and Michael Schaff (conductor, Crane School).

Altogether, the workshop was a resounding success. Alan Parshley expressed his appreciation to many who had contributed to its success, and the attendees expressed their appreciation of Alan’s outstanding efforts.

Click for pictures!