American Horn Quartet

Established in 1982 by four Americans who perform in well known European orchestras, the American Horn Quartet enjoys an ever increasing popularity in the brass chamber music world. Its members have won numerous prizes as soloists at international competitions in Europe and North America. In addition, the quartet has won First Prizes at the Phillip Jones International Brass Chamber Music Competition in Barcs, Hungary (1989), the NOTAMUS International Chamber Music Competition in Brussels (1991) and the Seventh Tokyo International Chamber Music Competition (1992). In its twenty-five year history the American Horn Quartet has performed extensively throughout Europe, the United States, Scandinavia, Japan, Hong Kong, Canada, China, Australia and Africa. Their performances have been the highlight at numerous chamber music festivals and brass workshops around the world. The National Endowment of the Arts has recognized and supported the accomplishments of the AHQ by making them 1994 chamber music grant recipients.

Unique in the field of chamber music performance, the American Horn Quartet offers an intriguing repertoire which includes not only traditional works for horn, but imaginative arrangements of works of diverse genres as well as prize winning original compositions by members of the Quartet itself. The result is a refreshing new realization of the possibilities of horn performance. The ensemble continues to record concerts for live radio and television broadcast and has produced four compact discs which have received rave reviews. The American Record Guide recently described the AHQ as "the finest brass chamber ensemble in the world."

For more information, visit the AHQ web site.

Neoteric

Melissa Mackey, bassoon
Jennifer Presar, horn
Eric Lenz, 'cello

Neoteric is a unique ensemble of cello, horn, and bassoon. Probably the first ensemble in history with this combination, Neoteric has a diverse and eclectic repertoire that juxtaposes ancient and brand new music. Concerts include 21st century works with a wide variety of influences, and arrangements of Medieval counterpoint, classical Divertimenti, and Gershwin pieces. We are comfortable performing in a variety of venues, and our concerts have a relaxed atmosphere that includes enthusiastic commentary and friendly interaction with audiences.

For more information, visit the Neoteric MySpace page.

Ion Balu, Memphis Symphony
Samuel Compton, Memphis Symphony
Ellen Campbell, the University of Missouri-Kansas City
Shawn Hagen, The U.S. Army Band
Patrick Hughes, the University of Texas Austin
Caroline Kinsey, Memphis Symphony
Robert G. Patterson, Memphis Symphony
Catherine Roche-Wallace, University of Louisiana, Lafayette
Brent Shires, University of Central Arkansas
Christopher Smith, Texas Tech University
Timothy Thompson, the University of Arkansas
Will Wiegard, West Texas A&M University

Assisting Ensembles

University of Memphis Wind Ensemble
University of Memphis Southern Comfort Jazz Orchestra
University of Memphis Faculty "Birth of the Cool" Ensemble