LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The world’s leading French horn players will gather at the University of Louisville’s School of Music Aug. 30-Sept. 1 for the 2013 International Horn Competition of America.
The three-day festival, the largest of its kind in North America, will feature performances in two categories, university and professional. French horn players will perform solo competing for $5000 in prizes and opportunities for appearances and master classes at U.S. music schools.
Bruce Heim, horn professor and festival host, said the event is expected to attract 70 players from 11 countries. They will be judged by some of the nation’s eminent hornists including professors from leading schools of music and top-level symphony orchestra musicians.
“The festival attracts horn enthusiasts and artists from around the world and has been called the ‘Olympics of Horn Playing,’” Heim said. “Many of the past winners have gone on to major careers in music. The School of Music hosted the competition in 2011 and is honored to do so again this year.”
Heim said the French horn is often considered one of the most difficult instruments to master.
“Critics have used words like ‘demanding,’ ‘unforgiving,’ and ‘recalcitrant’ to describe the instrument,” Heim said. “Great hornists make it sound easy, of course. Everyone who comes to hear the final rounds will hear today’s up-and-coming horn soloists.”
Performances will be held in the Margaret Comstock Concert and Bird Recital halls, School of Music. Tickets are $15 and available at the door. Three day, full day and half day packages are also available. The schedule is: