3-DAY WEEKEND HORN WORKSHOP, a tremendous success!

What an incredible weekend we had at the Weekend Horn Workshop last weekend! It was such a success that I am going to make this a yearly event, and at the informal concert we gave last Sunday, I re-named the event the 1st Annual Warren Gref Horn Workshop!

We had 30 people attend the activities from San Diego, Pt. Loma, La Mesa, Carlsbad, San Marcos, Fallbrook, Poway, Murrieta, Wildomar, Temecula, and Hemet – some were able only to make Friday evening, a few could only attend Saturday, and one could only do Sunday, but the majority were there for the entire three days! The range of experience and ages was wonderful – from middle school through retired adults.

The Workshop was held June 22, 23, and 24 at Saint Thomas of Canterbury Episcopal Church in Temecula.

We had 5 sessions during the three days which were comprised of master classes each session, group horn ensemble rehearsals each session, a mock audition, and we ended with an informal concert Sunday evening where we performed 6 pieces as an illustration of what we had worked on during the Workshop. One of my students who just graduated from Murrieta Valley High School and who will be attending UCLA in the fall also played a piece for horn and piano.

“St. Thomas of Canterbury Episcopal Church was proud to host this important educational event, bringing together horn players from all over Southern California,” according to Stephen Sturk, the church’s Music Director.

Taylor Quimby from Wildomar who just graduated from high school and who will be attending UCLA remarked, “I was very encouraged throughout the weekend. I have a greater love for the horn and music in general now.”

Monica Palmer from La Mesa said, “I enjoyed the workshop very much, and it was interesting; so was the choice of ensemble music. I liked the mix of ages and levels. You didn’t dumb things down for the younger participants, and your requirements were quite rigorous — in a nice way”.

“I have been reflecting on the weekend and what I learned and got out of the weekend. Definitely how to practice and the importance of practicing”, commented Linda Zuniga an adult horn player from Hemet. “There was so much I learned and I am still processing it all. I am so proud of the young people in the group choosing to do something very valuable with their lives and time compared to many youth who are lost. If the schools could just figure out that the more money that they invest in the arts the more the youth will rise up and excel in all areas.”

Kurt Snyder teaches horn at Idyllwild Arts Academy and recently retired from playing in the Los Angeles area TV and motion picture studios said, “Thank you for allowing me to sit in on your master class and sending me the outline. I learned a lot and you have a wonderful, positive way of presenting your ideas.”

Don Hille from Pt. Loma remarked about the Weekend Workshop, “Great overview of many techniques to become a better player.”

The schedule was 5:00-10:00 PM Friday night; Saturday’s schedule was 9:30-12:00 AM, then lunch from noon-1:30, afternoon session from 1:30-4:30 PM with dinner from 4:30-6:30, and the evening session from 6:30-10:00 PM; and Sunday was 1:30-5:00 with dinner from 5:00-7:00, and then a 7:00 informal performance showing what we had worked on during the weekend.

It was a lot of work for everyone – a few of the moms told me that I had worn out their kids! Mandolyn Yohner from Temecula stated, “You did wear my son out. However, he really enjoyed it! He came out hitting higher notes and sounding so much more in tune. I really enjoyed your workshop from a parent’s point of view.”

All best wishes,

Warren Gref