The 41st annual International Horn Symposium was held at Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL on June 2-7, 2009.  Horn players from all over the world converged on the site to study various aspects of horn playing, visit exhibits from instrument makers, as well as attend clinics, masterclasses, and performances by international guest artists.

Yamaha horn artist Jeff Nelsen was among the list of distinguished guests at IHS, and he performed a recital which garnered rave reviews from audience members and colleagues.  Jeff was proud that one of his many Yamaha-playing students, 19-year-old Everett Burns, won the Young Artist solo competition.  As part of Everett’s prize, he attended a special masterclass with Yamaha international artist Hiroshi Matsuzaki, principal horn in the NHK Symphony Orchestra. 

Geoff Houghton, Brass & Woodwind Product Specialist at Yamaha Canada Music, talks about two new Yamaha trombones for 2009 - the YSL882OR and the YSL891Z.

Yamaha Bassoon Artist Kathleen McLean has just accepted a position as Associate Professor of Music at Indiana University, beginning in September 2009.  Along with performing with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Kathy is the 2nd Vice President of the International Double Reed Society and is excited to bring the IDRS convention to Toronto in 2012. 

Kathleen performs on a Yamaha YFG821 Custom Bassoon.

Learn more about Kathy! 

Bass trombonist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra since 1985, Douglas Yeo is a respected performer, teacher, writer and conductor.
His multi-faceted musical life ranges from performances on historical brasses (serpent, ophicleide and bass sackbut) to playing
concertos by John Williams and Chris Brubeck with the Boston Pops Orchestra.

Yamaha trombone artist William Carn will be taking his quintet on the road in April, with stops in Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Vancouver.  The group is embarking on this Western Canada trip to record a live CD at Vancouver’s celebrated jazz venue, "The Cellar".

In 2008, Yamaha Canada Music embarked on an ambitious campaign to create and develop drumline activity in Canada.   The “Start the Groove” project began with laying the foundation for a new market, including title sponsorships of two DCI events in the summer of 2008.  The Yamaha Canada Cup in Hamilton and the Yamaha Spectacle of Sound in Sudbury brought thousands of enthusiastic spectators to Ontario, showcasing the talents of hundreds of young percussionists from Canada, the US, and as far away as the Netherlands.
 

Hope this message finds you all well.

Following our JUNO Win for “DEBUT”, 2008 Jazz Album of the Year, I have relocated to NYC to study with Ron Carter (Miles Davis’ bassist).  An exciting start to the new year and a break from the cold, we performed at the International Jazz Festival in Haiti this past January and then jetted straight to Toronto where we finished up in the recording studio last week completing the second album to be released in May (Justin Time Records).  
 
And now the QUINTET is going back on the road!

Yamaha Artist Mike Downes continues a busy performing schedule with several groups.  After completing a highly successful tour with the Ted Warren Commission to promote the new CD, "Songs for Doug", Mike will be appearing with Ron Davis and Molly Johnson.