WHAT'S NEW?
Stop Press:
Radovan Vlatkovic has agreed to join Alessio Allegrini as International Visiting Professor.
Radovan is one of the most distinguished horn players in the world and a teacher of great renown. We are delighted to welcome him to the Academy.
We are delighted to announce that Martin Owen has joined us as one of our horn professors. Martin has recently taken up the post of Principal Horn with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, having been Principal Horn with the Royal Philharmonic. In addition to his orchestral career, Martin is,of course in great demand as a soloist, chamber musician and studio player.
The other big news is that Alessio Allegrini is taking up the role of International Visiting Professor. Alessio was formerly Principal Horn at La Scala and is currently playing Principal Horn with the Santa Cecelia Orchestra in Rome. As well as this, he has a very successful solo career and has recently recorded the Mozart Concerti with the Berlin Philharmonic.
Alumni news
Pictured here are
Hugh Sisley, Michael Thompson, Emily Wiggins, Elise Campbell, Martin Owen and Richard Watkins with composers Robin Wedderburn, Peter Gritton and Ben Parry at the recent recording of the St Paul’s Fragment.
Academy horn players continue to be very busy on the film session scene.
Pictured here on Hans Zimmer’s sessions for Terminator Salvation at Air Lyndhurst Studios are current students, academy alumni and academy professors:
Mike Kidd, Sam Jacobs, Michael Thompson, Richard Berry and Richard Watkins.
Mark Almond, Jim Rattigan and Richard Clews.
On the same day, academy students Sam Jacobs and Mark Wood were taking part in another film session with Martin Owen at Abbey Road Studios.
Some recent films featuring Academy horn players include:
- State of Play
- The Illusionist
- Young Victoria
- Madagascar 2
- The Quantum of Solace
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
- Notorious B.I.G.
- Edge of Darkness
- Looking for Eric
- The Reader
- Wallace and Gromit-Loaf and Death
- The Mummy 3
- Hellboy 2
- Burn After Reading
- Mamma Mia
- The Dark Knight
- Kung Fu Panda
- Iron Man
- Season of the Witch
- Green Zone
- Terminator Salvation
- Prince of Persia
- Book of Eli
Sam Jacobs and Mark Wood played 1st and 3rd horns with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra on their seven week tour of the USA and Canada playing film music concerts.
Christopher Beagles took part in the UK premiere of Stockhausen's "Rotary" for Wind Quintet at the Britten Studio in Snape on July 13th 2009. The quintet is nine minutes long and must be performed from memory by the five players.
Michael Kidd gave the UK premiere of "Air" for solo horn by Jorg Widmans at the BBC Proms on July 29th 2009. The piece, was written for Bruno Schneider, is an evocative and virtuoso display of the horn's character.
Etienne Cutajar has been appointed 3rd horn with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.
James Palmer has been appointed 1st horn with the Irish Chamber Orchestra.
Francesca Moore-Bridger takes up a one year contract as Co-Principal horn with The Orquesta Filharmonica de Santiago, Chile.
Jocelyn Lightfoot continues her very busy freelance career which includes work with: The Royal Philharmonic, The Philharmonia, The Royal Opera House, The London Sinfonietta, London Chamber Orchestra, Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Irish Chamber Orchestra, as well as appearing at the Classical Brits and playing on numerous film sessions including the solo horn in “Faintheart”.
Kira Doherty has been working with: The Philharmonia, The Royal Philharmonic, The BBC Symphony Orchestra, The National Orchestra of Wales, The London Sinfonietta, The Irish Chamber Orchestra as well as a number of film sessions, including The Da Vinci Code and recording with Snow Patrol.
Mark Wood is currently playing at the National Theatre in the revival of Tom Stoppard’s “Every good boy deserves favour” in addition to work with the RPO, BBC Symphony and film sessions for Hans Zimmer and many others.
Sam Jacobs has been working with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the National Orchestra of Wales.
Royal Academy Horn Club
2008 saw the start of a new venture at the Academy: The Royal Academy Horn Club
It meets on one Sunday each term at the Academy and membership is open to horn players of school age who are interested in taking their playing to the next level. The day runs from 11am to 4pm and the emphasis is on ensemble playing, with coaching from the horn professors. Academy horn students also take part and are able to offer their insights and advice.
If you would like to join us, send us an email and we'll let you know the date of our next meeting.
Ramhorns in a recent Dukes Hall Concert
Ramhorns with Alessio