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

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: Till 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)

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