Horn

The Aspen Music Festival and School French horn department offers the opportunity to play premier assignments alongside artist-faculty from major U.S. orchestras or as principal in a variety of ensembles. For details on the student orchestral experience, please see the Orchestra/Instrumental program page.

Please see our Fellowships and Financial Aid page to learn more about our many fellowship and scholarship opportunities available to full session applicants. 

Important Program Information

  • Applicants should submit the financial aid form for access to all funding opportunities.
  • VIDEO audition recordings are required.
  • The Aspen Festival Orchestra (AFO) Third Horn fellowship recipient is chosen from the general applicant pool.
  • Horn fellowship recipients are chosen from the general applicant pool.
  • Students under the age of 18 do not play in orchestra but may take private lessons and participate in chamber music.

Teaching Faculty

Faculty residencies may vary.

How to Apply

APPLICATION OPENS SEPTEMBER 15
  • Resume required
  • Two letters of recommendation encouraged but not required

All horn applicants must submit the required horn repertoire in 4 INDIVIDUAL VIDEO TRACKS. Do not include your name in the video title or description.

STRAUSS: Til Eulenspiegel (first horn solo at the beginning and third horn solo in D horn at the recapitulation)

Please choose one selection from each bullet below, along with the piece above, for a total of four works.

  • One of the following  MOZART Concerti; accompaniment not required
    Horn Concerto No. 2 in E-flat major, K. 147 (1st movement)
    Horn Concerto No. 3 in E-flat major, K. 447 (1st movement)
    Horn Concerto No. 4 in E-flat major, K. 495 (1st movement)
     
  • RAVEL: Piano Concerto in G major
    -or-
    BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 7 in A major, op. 92 (1st movement, Vivace, m. 84-101 or 25 m. before Reh. C until C, 1st horn)
    -or-
    Wagner: From Götterdämmerung (Siegfried's Short Call)
     
  • SHOSTAKOVICH: Symphony No. 5 in D minor, op. 47 (1st movement, low tutti)
    -or-
    BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, op. 55 "Eroica" (Scherzo trio, 2nd horn)
    -or-
    R. Strauss: Don Quixote (Variation VIII, second horn, 6 m. before Reh. 59 to 8 m. after Reh. 62)
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Application Fees & Deadlines

Deadline: January 5, 2025
Application opens September 15, 2024.

Application Fee(s):

$30 September 15–October 15, 2024
$60 October 16–December 15, 2024
$110 December 16, 2024–January 5, 2025