Horn

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Welcome to the horn studio at the University of Colorado Boulder College of Music!

The horn studio consists ofÌýundergraduate and graduate students; our graduate students have completed their undergraduate work at such prestigious institutions as The Juilliard School, Manhattan School of Music, Cleveland Institute, Eastman School of Music, Mannes College of MusicÌýand Arizona State University. Ensembles afford undergraduates a unique opportunity to perform alongside graduate students, allowing undergraduates to benefit from the graduate students expertise on a regular basis.

The horn studio has Graduate Teaching Assistantships available in both Woodwind Quintet and Brass Quintet. Both of these ensembles have placed in national and/or international competitions (Fischoff, Plowman, MTNA and others). Teaching Assistants run sectionals, hold office hoursÌýand have the opportunity to develop their pedagogy by working withÌýundergraduate students.

There are three music major degree programs available to undergraduate horn students at CU Boulder,Ìýdesigned to accommodate the needs of all types of potential music majors:

  • Bachelor of Music in Performance (BM) is a highly intensive approach to performance with the goal to be gainfully employed as a performer and/or teacher at the college level.
  • Bachelor of Music in Education (BME) is a program with a strong emphasis on performance as a key aspect of teaching others how to perform.ÌýThis program also explores various facets of education and music pedagogy in depth.
  • Bachelor of Arts in Music (BA) is a program with less intense musical rigor, but can be tailored to a students individual needs and interest. There may be a strong emphasis on lessons, performanceÌýand ensemble participation, if the student so desires.ÌýThis program is well-suited to students also interested in other academic or musical pursuits.

There are also three degrees offered at the graduate level:

  • Master of Music in Horn Performance (MM) is a highly intensive approach to performance with the goal to be gainfully employed as a performer and/or teacher at the college level.
  • Master of Music in Horn Performance and Pedagogy (MM) is almost identical to the MM in performance with the exception of different course requirements. This degree is for those interested in anÌýintense approach to performance as well as a pedagogical background to offer a broader range of career options.
  • Doctor of Musical Arts in Horn Performance and Pedagogy (DMA) is the highest degree offered at the University of Colorado Boulder College of Music. DMA students develop highly individualized curricula in pursuit of their personal career goals.

During their time at the CU Boulder, graduate and exceptional undergraduate students are encouraged to work in the many professional ensembles available in our region. Horn students perform regularly as full-time members or extra musicians with ensembles including the Colorado Symphony, Boulder Philharmonic, Greeley Philharmonic, Fort Collins SymphonyÌýand the Central City Opera Orchestra.ÌýIn the past seven years, a majority ofÌýregional orchestral positions (over 75%) has been won by members of the CU Boulder College of Music horn studio.

Alumni of the horn studio hold professional positions in orchestras and universities around the world, including Hong Kong Philharmonic, Jerusalem Symphony, U.S. Army Bands, Montevideo Philharmonic (Uruguay), Amazon Philharmonic (Brazil), Glens Falls Symphony (NY), University of Wyoming, Denver Metropolitan State UniversityÌýand many others.

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Alumni

Performance

  • Nathan Bonin—Wyoming Symphony, Second Horn (2027)
  • Max Braun—Hawaii Symphony, Second Horn (2024)
  • Jason Friedman—The Cleveland Orchestra, Substitute/Extra Musician (2018)
  • Megan Hurley—Baltimore Symphony, Associate Horn (one-year) (2020)
  • Taryn Lee—New World Symphony, Horn Fellow (2017)
  • Maria Long—New Mexico Philharmonic, Associate/Third Horn (2023)
  • Phillip Palmore—San Francisco Ballet and Opera Orchestras, Second Horn (2024)
  • Jordan Spivack—Wyoming Symphony, Principal Horn (2026)
  • Valerie Sly—Alabama Symphony, Principal Horn (2022)

Arts administrationÌý

  • Jonathan Groszew—Colorado Symphony, Director of Personnel (2013)
  • Erika Hollister—Curtis Institute of Music, Marketing Specialist (2020)
  • Lacey Huzscza—Richmond Symphony, Executive Director (2003)
  • Joy Xiaodan—Colorado Ballet, Director of Patron Services (2022)

Teaching

  • Dilon Bryan—University of North Georgia, Instructor of Horn (2022)
  • Claire Glover—Mountain Ridge Middle School, Director of Bands, CO Young Music Educator of the Year 2020 (2017)
  • Carrie Proctor Borjas—Westview Middle School, Director of Bands, CO Young Music Educator of the Year 2022 (2019)

Each year, the horn studio is proud to present a major guest artist; the CU Boulder Horn Guest Artist Series has become a key horn event at CU Boulder.ÌýÂé¶¹ÒùÔº from area universities have also attended recitals and master classes presented by these artists who include:

  • Rachel Childers—Boston Symphony Orchestra (2024)
  • Matthew Eckenhoff—Colorado Symphony (2025)
  • Liz Freimuth—Cincinnati Symphony (retired); Rice University (2026)
  • Meghan Guegold Hege—The Cleveland Orchestra (2025)
  • John Mason—LA Studio Horn (2026); Horn Repair Specialist (2026)
  • Selena Maytum—US Army Field Band (2024)
  • Kolio Plachkov—Colorado Symphony (2025)
  • Valerie Sly—Alabama Symphony (2024)
  • Dan Vidican—Lukas Horns (2026); Memphis Symphony (retired)

Michael Thornton

Michael Thornton enjoys a distinguished and varied career as an orchestral performer, chamber musician, soloist and pedagogue. Thornton has performed on six continents with acclaimed ensembles and has presented master classes at prestigious musical institutions, including The Juilliard School, the Curtis Institute of Music, Rice University, the Royal Northern College of Music (UK) and the Sydney Conservatorium of Music (AU). Thornton holds concurrent appointments as Principal Horn of both the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and the Colorado Symphony. He joined the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra in 2017 and joined the Colorado Symphony Orchestra during the 1997 season, and in this capacity has worked with renowned classical and popular artists from Yo Yo Ma, Lang Lang, Renee Fleming, songwriter Randy Newman and Phish frontman Trey Anistasio. Before joining the CSO, he left his studies at The Juilliard School to become the Principal Horn of the Honolulu Symphony. MORE

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