Stroud Valleys Music Club: Kelly Holmes gives an informative talk about the horn

WE HAD an excellent evening on April 13, when local musician Kelly Holmes gave an informal and informative talk about the horn.

She started with her own musical career with the horn, followed by its history and development over hundreds of years.

She showed us how a lot of ‘air pipe’ is reduced to a compact form, revealing that it’s not any easy thing to play!

Then she explained the players’ position in the orchestral line-up and how they are constantly having to shape the sound with their hands and fingers to achieve the composer’s wishes.

We were delighted when she played part of a Bach Concerto on her horn in a sort of ‘karaoke’ version with the other instruments.

Finally we were invited to a ‘mouth-on’ attempt to produce sound not just from her horn but also a 20ft length of (dry) hose pipe!

It was an evening to remember.