Level 1 - Beginner
Level 2 - Novice
Level 3 - Intermediate
Level 4 - Advanced
Level 5 - Pre-College
Level 6 - Collegiate
Level 7 - Conservatory
Level 8 - Postgraduate
Level 9 - Professional
Level 10 - Virtuoso
Level 2 - Novice
Level 3 - Intermediate
Level 4 - Advanced
Level 5 - Pre-College
Level 6 - Collegiate
Level 7 - Conservatory
Level 8 - Postgraduate
Level 9 - Professional
Level 10 - Virtuoso
This guide is designed to help teachers and students discover repertoire for the various levels of proficiency on horn. Each level page lists appropriate repertoire and suggests "bench marks" to measure progress and advancement. Since each student has their own unique goals and abilities, the length of time they will devote to refining technical and musical skills at a given level will vary. Some students may choose to remain at the same level for a long period of time (perhaps indefinitely) while they continue to refine their skills. Ambitious, highly motivated students (especially those with goals of performing professionally) will continue to “level up” with the eventual goal of mastering the instrument.
An experienced teacher understands that the student ultimately dictates the pace of their development. Not all students aspire to mastery or have the time and energy to devote to several hours of daily practice. Some student’s only goal is to place well in a chair test or to keep up with challenging repertoire in the school band. Other students dream of winning a solo competition or being accepted into a competitive music conservatory.
I believe it’s important for each student to decide what their current goals are in studying horn. Goals can and will change over time but, in order to give structure to the course of instruction, it is important to know where you are today and where you want to be tomorrow.
At each stage, there are certain skills that can and should be mastered. In order to graduate to a higher level, proficiency in the prescribed skills and repertoire of the current level should be demonstrated to the satisfaction of both the student and the teacher through informal “tests” or other milestones such doing well in a professional audition or successfully performing a recital.
Theses levels are not intended to be rigid or absolute. Students and professionals can benefit from reviewing the most basic elements of horn playing with a “beginner’s mind” as well as challenging ourselves with repertoire that may be slightly beyond our current abilities.
Happy practicing!
An experienced teacher understands that the student ultimately dictates the pace of their development. Not all students aspire to mastery or have the time and energy to devote to several hours of daily practice. Some student’s only goal is to place well in a chair test or to keep up with challenging repertoire in the school band. Other students dream of winning a solo competition or being accepted into a competitive music conservatory.
I believe it’s important for each student to decide what their current goals are in studying horn. Goals can and will change over time but, in order to give structure to the course of instruction, it is important to know where you are today and where you want to be tomorrow.
At each stage, there are certain skills that can and should be mastered. In order to graduate to a higher level, proficiency in the prescribed skills and repertoire of the current level should be demonstrated to the satisfaction of both the student and the teacher through informal “tests” or other milestones such doing well in a professional audition or successfully performing a recital.
Theses levels are not intended to be rigid or absolute. Students and professionals can benefit from reviewing the most basic elements of horn playing with a “beginner’s mind” as well as challenging ourselves with repertoire that may be slightly beyond our current abilities.
Happy practicing!