Horn Playing at the Academy

A Brief History

The tradition of horn playing at the Royal Academy of Music dates from the 1890s when Adolf Borsdorf became the first horn professor. He combined elements of the French and German schools and set the stage for a British style of playing which is held in the highest regard up to the present day.

Among Borsdorf's students were two brothers, Alfred and Aubrey Brain. Alfred emigrated to the USA in the 1920s and established himself as the pre-eminent studio player in Hollywood. Aubrey became the leading player in the UK and succeeded Borsdorf at the RAM.

Aubrey's pupils included Alan Civil, Ifor James and Derek Taylor, who in turn taught current horn professors Michael Thompson and Richard Watkins. His most famous pupil was of course his son Dennis, who raised horn playing to a new level of artistry.

Other distinguished RAM professors have included James Brown, Nicholas Busch and Barry Tuckwell whose example and influence led to another stage in the evolution of British horn playing. Academy horn players have had great success as soloists, chamber music players and in orchestras worldwide including principal positions in all the London orchestras at various times.

Horn playing at the RAM today

At the Academy we are passionate about music and horn playing.

Music is the source of all that we do as horn players. We play the horn in order to make music; not the other way round. Our aim is not just to train horn players; that is just the starting point. Our ambition is to educate musicians who play the horn.

The Academy horn professors have international reputations, and a depth and range of expertise in every area of the music profession; from orchestral playing, through chamber music, period instrument ensembles, contemporary music and the world of film sessions.

All aspects of horn playing are studied, including the historical perspective of the natural horn and the extended techniques needed for some of today's music. Students gain a thorough knowledge of repertoire, with equal emphasis given to orchestral and solo literature. There is a long tradition in the UK of combining highly successful solo careers with orchestral playing and we see no need to differentiate between these roles or indeed between high and low parts. Good playing is good playing and music is music.

Perhaps the most important feature of the horn students at the Academy is their ethos of mutual respect and support. The group is relatively small, typically around sixteen in number, and is inclusive, cooperative and positive. Although there are auditions and competitive prizes at the academy - just as there are in the world at large - the bottom line is for everyone to achieve their full potential. Competition is just one means to this end and not an end in itself. To measure yourself against others is to limit yourself. To measure yourself against your own imagination is the real challenge.