Western Hornist

2013 Western Horn Festival

Hosted by Randall E. Faust

Western Illinois University held its annual Horn Festival on April 14, 2013.

THE WESTERN ILLINOIS HORN FESTIVAL 2013 was held on Sunday, April 14, 2013 at the School of Music, Western Illinois University with featured Guest Artists Edwin C. "Ted" Thayer-- Principal Hornist Emeritus of the NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA and Lisa Bontrager, Horn Professor, Pennsylvania State University and Hornist of the Pennsylvania Woodwind Quintet, Millennium Brass Quintet, and MirrorImage Horn Duo. Because both of these artists have recorded a significant body of repertoire, extensive discographies appeared in the Festival program. Mr. Thayer's repertoire included Long-playing records, Cassette Recordings, Compact Discs, and YouTube Videos from several decades with the National Symphony under conductors from Dorati to Rostropovich. Professor Bontrager's discography included over twenty recordings of solo recital repertoire and chamber music on compact disc. Both formal and informal discussions of this contrasting literature were an ongoing part of all of the classes and clinics of the Festival.

*A special bonus of the 2013 Horn Festival was a Visiting Lecturers Committee-sponsored lecture presented on Saturday April 13 by Professor Lisa Bontrager: The Importance of a Mentor. This lecture was received well by the students-and some students found her presentation to be a highlight of the weekend Professor Bontrager's stature as a chamber music and solo artist as well as faculty member at Pennsylvania State University is well documented-including the program from the Festival.

**Another unique presentation at the 2013 Festiival was an original Comic Opera for Horn Choir composed for the Festival by WIU Horn Alumnus Robert Palmer. In addition, Robert, WIU Horn Alumna Cristina Werling, and Horn Professor Emeritus, Roger Collins performed on the Final Concert with the Guest Artists.


Program Information

WIUHF 2013 Festival Horn Choir performs Robert Palmer's Comic Opera
Guest Artists Ted Thayer and Lisa Bontrager, Randall Faust and Horn Choir

General Information

For more information about the Western Illinois Horn Festival contact Randall E. Faust at RE-Faust@wiu.edu, 216 A Browne Music Hall, Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL 61455. Phone: (309) 298-1300.