The 2015 International Horn Competition of America took place August 28-30 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Glenn Korff School of Music in Lincoln, NE. The hosts for the competition were Dr. Alan Mattingly, Professor of Horn at UNL, and Dr. Jacqueline Mattingly, Lecturer of Music History and Chief Advisor for BA and BM degrees at UNL. The competition has been in existence for more than 30 years and remains one of the most prestigious events for solo horn performance in the world. This year, the three-day, three-round event attracted competitors from across 26 states and six countries for prizes totaling $7,000.
The IHCA is divided into two separate categories: a University Division and Professional Division. Round 1 of each division requires competitors to perform the first movement of a Mozart concerto and a second piece from a given list. Those advancing to Round 2 must perform an unaccompanied work chosen from a list of seven pieces. The third and final round consists of an entire three-movement concerto.
Although there is no set limit on the number of competitors who can advance to the final round, at the 2015 IHCA three competitors from each division advanced to the Round 3, which took place August 30 in Kimball Recital Hall at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Following are the results:
Professional Division
First Prize - Austin Larson
Second Prize - Zeng Yun
Finalist - Chris Williams
University Division
First Prize - Benjamin Bacni
Second Prize - Cynthia Simpson
Finalist - William Loveless
The prizes at the 2015 IHCA were the highest in the history of the event. This is due to the incredible generosity of its sponsors, who support horn playing at all levels and recognize the importance of events such as the IHCA.
“This marked the first year that sponsors were approached to support cash prizes of the IHCA, and we were thrilled to receive contributions from local businesses, Lincoln-based foundations, individual horn players, and established horn companies,” Alan Mattingly said.
The 2015 IHCA sponsors were:
Siegfried’s Call
The Cooper Foundation
The Lincoln Community Foundation
Union Bank and Trust
Harris Academy of the Arts
Speedway Properties
Friends of Jack Snider
Curtis Rogers, Family Heritage Insurance
Alan Mattingly is hopeful that the trend of prize sponsorship from horn makers, suppliers, and distributors continues for future IHCA events.
“Getting horn-related companies involved in the IHCA is a fantastic way to promote and advertise their products and services,” he said. “And by increasing the cash prizes for the IHCA winners, we will continue to attract the highest caliber horn player to this competition for years to come.”
The next International Horn Competition of America takes places in 2017 at the Colorado State University.