Horn Studio

We have a music student population of about 300 full-time students in the Department of Music. EMU itself maintains a student population about 24,000 students. Our strong points are education, sciences, business, and languages. Incidentally, we share our beautiful music building with the Foreign Language Department.

I am always eager to listen to our large ensembles are because our conductors are talented, inspiring and demanding. We have several large and wonderful ensembles: Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, University Orchestra, a Jazz band, combos, Marching Band, Collegium (for graduate students), and choirs (Univeristy, Chamber, Women's, and Opera Workshop).

Student recitals are scheduled each Tuesday at 11:00 a.m., and we have student performances on all instruments, voice and dance. This is a great way to learn the dynamics of live performance. Music students are expected to attend at least 10 EMU-sponsored performances per semester. My horn students perform in the student recital venue at least once each semester.

I have a studio of approximately 10 horn students each semester. In addition, the entire horn studio class meets once a week and we play for each other, and prepare horn ensembles for performances in schools etc.

I teach from four perspectives; etudes, solos, ensembles, and orchestral excerpts. I believe that having a good balance of these four areas is crucial to the concept of a well-rounded horn player.

This is a very rich area in terms of music performances. I am principal horn with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, and perform regularly with Eastern Winds (our faculty woodwind quintet), and I give solo recitals. A great benefit is that major symphony orchestras frequently come to the area. Furthermore, the Detroit Symphony is one hour away and student tickets are fairly inexpensive and easy to obtain.

The Department of Music sponsors two events each year: the Annual Wind and Percussion Clinic that is held one or two weeks before Thanksgiving, and Honors Band, held in January - auditions for Honors Band are held during the Wind and Percussion Clinic. Please contact me if you would like to be involved.

So that's the horn studio at EMU in brief. If you are interested in learning more about EMU and the horn studio, please contact me for a free lesson.

Kindest regards,

Dr. Willard Zirk

Lesson Letters

Fine Horn Intonation
Horn Ensembles
Getting the Right Notes

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