Hayden Guckenberg '21

Degree Program: Bachelor of Music in Horn Performance

Hometown: Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Current Ensembles:
Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, and a Brass Quintet I formed

What drew you to Lawrence?
The opportunity to study French Horn in a conservatory setting close to home.

What horn model do you play? What is your dream instrument?
I play on a Hans Hoyer and my dream horn is any of the hand-made Alexander horns from their show room in Germany.

Do you have a favorite studio memory?
Probably my favorite memory thus far as a member of the Horn Studio would be playing Horn trios with Zach and Johnathan on the shore of Lake Michigan at Björklunden.

Mariel Lopez '21

Degree Program: Music Education and Horn Performance
Hometown: McHenry, IL

Current Ensembles:
Symphonic Band and Horn Ensemble

What drew you to Lawrence?
I went to a music education workshop when I auditioned, and the experience alone made me reconsider not doing music education. It was such a different atmosphere than any music teaching environments I've ever been in and I loved every minute of it.

What horn model do you play on currently? What is your dream horn model?
I play on a Conn 8D, and I've honestly always loved the beast of an instrument. Maybe just a new one would be nice, mine is used so it’s a bit busted up.

Simone Levy '20

Simone LevyGraduation Year: 2020
Degree Program: Bachelor of Arts in English
Hometown: Denver, CO
What drew you to Lawrence?
I was drawn here by the small class sizes and the abundance of musical opportunities available for non-majors.

What ensembles do you play in at Lawrence? 

I play in Symphonic Band and also in Horn ensemble.

What horn model do you play? What is your dream instrument?
I currently play on an Elkhart Conn 8D, but my dream horn is probably a Geyer double with a screw bell or a Lewis and Dürk LDx5.
Do you have a favorite studio memory?
Apple picking was really fun! At one point we lost Professor DeCorsey for a few hours.

Bryn Rourke, '18

Bryn RourkeGraduation Year: 2018
Degree Program: Bachelor of Music in Horn Performance
Hometown: Blue Mounds, WI

Current Ensembles:
Lawrence Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Horn Ensemble. I also play with a woodwind quintet and a contemporary quartet.

What drew you to Lawrence?
Lawrence's Double Degree program drew my attention, as well as the Conservatory style education. I knew that I wanted a rigorous musical education, but also a well-rounded education outside of music.

What horn model do you play? What is your dream instrument?
My horn is a Paxman 25. My dream horn is an Engelbert Schmid high Eb triple in unlacquered yellow brass, and a medium bell with garland.

Do you have a favorite studio memory?
When we took a trip to Minneapolis for a horn workshop, and an elderly woman gave me her extra front row tickets to the Minnesota Orchestra.

David Germaine, '19

David GermaineGraduation Year: 2019
Degree Program: Bachelor of Music in Horn Performance, Bachelor of Arts in Physics
Hometown: Berkley, MI

Current Ensembles: Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, and Horn Ensemble

What drew you to Lawrence? The small campus with abundant student life was one factor, but also the amount of opportunities offered to students outside the classroom.

What horn model do you play? What is your dream instrument? Currently a Holton 179 Nickle-silver, but I would love to try any Paxman or Alexander yellow-brass double horn model.

Do you have a favorite studio memory? The time my studio mates threw me a surprise birthday party.

John O'Neill, '18

John O'NeillGraduation Year: 2018
Degree Program: Bachelor of Music in Horn Performance, Bachelor of Arts in Government
Hometown: Reno, NV

Current Ensembles: Lawrence Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Horn Ensemble. I also play in a woodwind quintet and a trio.

What drew you to Lawrence? For me it was the supportive environment that I found the moment I stepped in the door. Every faculty member is approachable and enthusiastic, and the students share these traits.

What horn model do you play? What is your dream horn model?
I play on a Finke Brendan. I only bought my horn a year ago and it is still my dream instrument!

Do you have a favorite studio memory?
During spring break of my freshman year, the only horns on campus were Professor DeCorsey, myself, and the two seniors that year. That Monday we held a “brief” (3 hour) reading session as a quartet, and it was probably the most terrifying experience afternoon of my life! After that session we decided to meet at the same time every single day for the rest of the break; I learned a ton in a short amount of time and I got to know the older students a lot better.

Heath Ugoretz, '16

Heath UgoretzGraduation Year: 2016
Degree Program: Bachelor of Music in Horn Performance
Hometown: Verona, WI

What drew you to Lawrence? 
I liked the attention that you get from the faculty. There are a lot of performance opportunities because it’s such a small school. The study abroad opportunities also caught my eye.

Current Ensembles: Lawrence Symphony Orchestra, Horn Ensemble, and several student led chamber ensembles.

What horn model do you play?
Engelbert Schmid Double.

Do you have a favorite studio memory?
When we went to Björklunden with Bill Barnewitz and I was embarrassed in front of the entire studio for not being familiar with a piece that Professor DeCorsey had just played on a recital.

Emma Jensen, '18

Emma JensenGraduation Year: 2018
Degree Program: Bachelor of Music in Horn Performance
Hometown: Orange City, Iowa

Current Ensembles: Lawrence Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Brass Quintet (Bowtie Brass), and Horn Ensemble

What drew you to Lawrence? 
At first I was unsure if I would fit in here, but I am so glad I decided to come to Lawrence. Every day I have the opportunity to play beautiful music surrounded by musicians who are as passionate as I am. I have so many wonderful friends here, including the members of the horn studio.

What horn model do you play? What is your dream instrument?
I play on an Engelbert Schmid and it is my dream instrument!

Do you have a favorite studio memory?
Making cupcakes and playing Cards against Humanity and Charades with my friends in the studio.

Zach Prior '18

Zach Prior

Graduation Year: 2018
Degree Program: Bachelor of Music in Horn Performance and Music Education
Hometown: Deerfield, WI

What ensembles do you play in at Lawrence?
I currently play in the Wind Ensemble and the Horn Ensemble. In the past I have also played with the Symphonic Band and Symphony Orchestra, as well as the musical theater pit orchestra and various chamber groups including horn quartets, woodwind quintets, and an Alta Capella (a Renaissance band, using period instruments).

What drew you to Lawrence?

Lawrence has a beautiful and comfortably-sized campus and the students are very engaged in both academic and social life. On all of my visits, students at Lawrence were very inviting, and when I visited classrooms the conversations they were having were exciting and interesting. Lawrence also has a strong reputation for music education, and I liked that the opportunities and expectations for music education majors were the same as those for performance majors.

What horn model do you play on currently? What is your dream horn model?

I play a Yamaha 667-D, and I love my horn in particular. I’ve played on other 667-Ds, and oddly enough hated the way they felt, but mine seems to fit me perfectly. I dream of playing on one of Ion Balu’s beautiful horns, but I haven’t yet had the opportunity to test one out.

Do you have a favorite studio memory?
During my freshman year the horn studio took a trip up to Bjorklunden. We read quartets, duets, octets and other pieces outside, barefoot on the porch overlooking the lake. We also spent plenty of time just hanging out and bonding, exploring the beach and woods surrounding Bjorklunden.

Nicholas Suminski, '19

Nicholas SuminskiGraduation Year: 2019
Degree Program: Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance, Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry
Hometown: Traverse City, MI

Current Ensembles:
Lawrence Symphony Orchestra and Horn Ensemble

What drew you to Lawrence?
I was drawn to Lawrence by the friendly and supportive atmosphere, as well as the exceptional quality of the faculty. Another big factor for me was finding somewhere I would be able to play the horn as a secondary instrument.

What horn model do you play? What is your dream instrument?
I am playing an unlacquered yellow brass Yamaha 668 customized by Wes Hatch, and could hardly be happier!

Do you have a favorite studio memory?
I am still pretty new to Lawrence, and haven’t been with the studio for very long! However, my favorite studio memory is probably going to Professor DeCorsey’s house for cider and hot chocolate after attending an excellent Lawrence Symphony Orchestra concert featuring the horn section in Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony.

Julian Cohen, '19

Julian CohenGraduation Year: 2019
Degree Program: Bachelor of Music in Horn Performance, Bachelor of Arts in Gender Studies
Hometown: Arlington, VA

Current Ensembles: Lawrence Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Horn Ensemble

What drew you to Lawrence?
The Double Degree program was a huge draw, as well as the Gender Studies department. I liked the way I could tailor my education to my interests.

What horn model do you play? What is your dream instrument?
Currently I play on a Yamaha 668 Nickel Silver. My dream horn is a Lawson 804 Yellow Brass Fourier.

Do you have a favorite studio memory?
When we went to Madison to see Radovan Vlatkovic give a masterclass this fall.

Brittany Neil, '18

Brittany NeilGraduation Year: 2018
Degree Program: Bachelor of Arts in English, Minor in Music Performance
Hometown: Libertyville, IL

Current Ensembles: Wind Ensemble, Horn Ensemble, and a Woodwind Quintet

What drew you to Lawrence? The combination of the college and the conservatory as well as the strong Education program.

What horn model do you play? What is your dream instrument? Yamaha 567. I would love to have a Conn 8D M-Series.

Do you have a favorite studio memory?
Late night horn octets in the Chapel!

Jonathan Ibach '20

Jonathan IbachGraduation Year: 2020
Degree Program: Bachelor of Music in Horn Performance and Music Education
Hometown: Sun Prairie, WI

Current Ensembles: I play in Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Horn Ensemble, and a Brass Quintet.

What drew you to Lawrence?
The wonderful faculty, the strong conservatory of music, diversity of students and their backgrounds, and the overall philosophy of Lawrence.

What horn model do you play? 
I play on an Alexander 103.

Do you have a favorite studio memory?
Playing horn quartets in the chapel on one of the first days of welcome week.