Send the OU Hornsemble to Vienna to collaborate with the Wiener Waldhorn Verein!

The OU Hornsemble

Founded in 1985, the OU Hornsemble is a music group comprised of horn (French horn) players.  The group has had 10 invited performances to perform at International Horn Society Symposia and has also appeared at as many regional workshops sponsored by the International Horn Society.  In addition, the ensemble has given concerts and clinics at 6 Oklahoma Music Educator Conferences.

Comprised primarily by music majors studying horn, the group also attracts highly motivated horn players from other disciplines that wish to participate.  There is a large body of music specifically composed for multiple horns.  Our ensemble library consists of music with 8 - 18 different voices and will occasionally rely on other instruments to expand our sonority.  The ensemble specializes in performing a wide variety of music. Typical concert fare will be original works for the instrument, arrangements of symphonic or vocal literature, film music, and even pop and jazz!

What is a Horn Ensemble?

The genre of a musical ensemble consisting of horn players dates to the early 1700's.  With the development of the chromatic horn in 1830, the instrument now possesses a nearly five octave range, spanning the range of the trumpet down to tuba.  Such a wide range span allows more flexibility in writing for a group of horns so that it does sound like a complete ensemble.

The modern era of horn playing in a homogeneous ensemble was started by the Wiener Waldhorn Verein in 1883.  The popularity of this group influenced other cities and eventually neighboring countries to adopt this practice.

The practice of forming horn ensembles in the United States came from the early 1900's when the first German and Austrian horn players were brought over from Europe to staff professional orchestras.  Some of these players also assumed academic positions at colleges on the side and brought the practice of performing horn ensemble music to the states.

In the 1950's the art of horn ensemble playing was highlighted by several successful recordings of the Los Angeles Horn Club.  Studio hornists were under rigid rules to be under strict contract with the various film studios to which they were hired.  The horn club allowed these professional horn players an opportunity to perform together in a social setting.  Soon film composers started supplying new music for the group in what actually became more of a composers workshop. The popularity of these recordings influenced other groups across the country to form.  Most colleges now have a horn ensemble as a viable performance option.

Why This Trip Is Important

The Wiener Waldhorn Verein (Vienna Horn Society) is composed of the top echelon horn players in Vienna.  Participants at any time consist of members from the Vienna State Opera, Vienna Philharmonic, Vienna Folk Opera, Vienna Symphony Orchestra, and other free lance professionals.

They are the oldest ensemble of its kind, having been in continuous existence since 1883.  Their membership consists of the most highly respected hornists in all of Austria.  The ensemble has recorded several discs over the years and has started to form collaborations with horn groups in other countries.  They have had collaborations over the years with the Tokyo Horn Club and the Scottish Vienna Horn Society.

I have made acquaintances with a few of the members of the ensemble over the years.  Members have looked at many of the Hornsemble's performances archived on YouTube and the membership voted to invite the OU Hornsemble to Vienna to collaborate with them to celebrate their 135th Anniversary.  We are the only American group ever to have received such an invitation!

The Mission

Our goal is to raise $4000 to fill the gap between University help and the membership's personal financial obligation.  We are close to our goal and that is why we need your help: to push us over the top!  Your contribution will help us secure lodging for our stay in Vienna.

Thank You

Thank you for your support!  Help us now by sharing news of our campaign through your friends and contacts on social media.  This is a wonderful group of young people. I hope they can count on your help!  BOOMER SOONER!