VANDERBILT HORN STUDIO
John Degnan (Class of 2022) performs Sigurd Berge’s Horn-Lokk
The Vanderbilt Horn studio is well-known for its artistry and excellence. The studio has been led by the legendary Leslie Norton since 1989, and has produced many successful performers, teachers, composers, and scholars over the years. Our students not only benefit from studying at one of the world’s great universities, but also from the wealth of experience and musical accomplishment that Prof. Norton brings to the table.
Learn more about our wonderful students on our Meet the Horn Studio page
About the Horn Studio
For the 2024-25 school year there are 9 horn majors from 8 different states, and they each have a one-hour weekly lesson with Prof. Leslie Norton and must also sign up for a weekly Horn Performance Class.
Our Blair horn students participate in the Vanderbilt Symphony Orchestra and the Vanderbilt Wind Symphony, as well as various small ensembles through Blair’s wonderful chamber music program. Prof. Norton also builds in some horn ensemble experiences each year.
Several of our students typically attend regional horn symposia, workshops, and festivals each year, enter national and international competitions, and attend some of the most prestigious Summer festivals.
In addition to the horn majors in our collegiate program, we also have several Vanderbilt students who take elective horn lessons as part of a music minor and/or secondary major. These students typically study with Anna Spina, Adjunct Artist Teacher of Horn, who is also our primary horn instructor in Blair’s fantastic precollege and adult program, Blair Academy at Vanderbilt.
All of these students contribute to a thriving and vibrant horn community on the VU campus!
Horn Faculty Spotlight
Leslie Norton
Associate Professor of Horn
Leslie is our primary horn teacher, and all horn majors study weekly with her. She also leads Horn Performance Class, a weekly meeting of the entire horn studio, and often coaches chamber ensembles.
Hear Leslie perform the 3rd movement of Brad Warnaar’s Concerto for Horn with Maestro Guerrero and the Nashville Symphony