Western Hornist

The Western Illinois Horn Festival

(Historical Highlights and Reflections)

Since 2002, the Western Illinois University Horn Institute has hosted the Western Illinois Horn Festival. This event has provided instruction and performances by master performers, as well as performance opportunities for all of the participants. The events of the festival have served the Western Illinois and Tri-State Region with performances by outstanding Guest Artists and Contributing Artists, performances by local hornists, a lecture on a horn-related topic, panel discussions with distinguished teachers and hornists, a Master Class for selected participants, a rehearsal and performance by the Festival Horn Choir. Short descriptions of the Horn Festivals follow. In the following pages, a brief narrative of each Festival is accompanied by supporting documents—including programs, photographs, and posters when available. Some of the Festivals were larger than others. One event that had international significance was the 41st International Horn Symposium — held here on campus in June of 2009. Because of its size and significance, a complete separate report about the Symposium is also included.

Information about the Festivals follows in a reverse chronology.