| The 2002 Toronto Horn Day was a great success! Over fifty hornists attended classes and workshops presented by Dan Gress of the University of Ottawa, Joan Watson of the Canadian Opera Company, Lisa Bontrager from Penn State and Julie Landsman of the Met. There were also exhibits from workshop sponsors Leblanc, Samuelson Music (Paxman, E. Schmid), Yamaha Canada (True North Brass) and music from The Hornists' Nest. Even more people attended the evening concert which was opened by the True North Brass who were sponsored by Yamaha Canada. They were followed by the horn section of the Toronto Symphony, Fred Rizner, Chris Gongos, Harcus Hennigar and Richard Cohen joined by Erin Cooper-Gay and Gabe Radford playing two movements of a Dauprat sextet. Their stellar performance was followed by the University of Toronto Horn Choir under the direction of Harcus Hennigar. The Contributing Artists' Ensemble consisted of clinicians Lisa Bontrager, Dan Gress, Julie Landsman and Joan Watson joined by Gary Pattison of the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra and IHS Canadian Coordinator, John Kowalchuk. Scott Irvine of the True North Brass conducted his own composition called Morning Song arranged for six horns. This was followed by Georgia On My Mind as arranged by Sammy Nestico for the 31st IHS Workshop held in Athens, Georgia. Finally, it came time for the massed horn choir under the direction of the workshop host. Most of the attendees came together to play Fanfare de Chasse as usually performed by the natural horn choirs at numerous annual international workshops. The finale was O Canada adapted for eight horns as played at the 30th annual IHS Workshop in Banff, Alberta. The choir was joined by the U of T students as well as Scott Irvine on tuba and Al Kaye on trombone from the TNB. I am thrilled to have been able to organise such an event to bring together new and experienced horn players. I extend my thanks to the University of Toronto and all the clinicians and other sponsors who contributed to making this a great horn day. |