Festival Review
Norman Macdougall reports on the 2009 British Horn Festival, which featured many fine players including David Pyatt and Michael Thompson (pictured).

Nights at the Opera
Hugh Seenan profiles Richard Bissill, who has been appointed joint principal horn at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

The Basic Essentials
Ralph Hall concludes his series on playing technique with a comprehensive summary of the essentials.

The Watford Pedigree
Tony Catterick investigates why Watford Grammar School has produced so many fine horn players (including Michael Thompson, David Pyatt, Tim Thorpe, Ted Chance, Michael Purton and Adrian Leaper).

Where Do These Go?
Hugh Seenan gives some tips on the best positions for horn tuning slides.

Peach or Lemon?
Andrew Clark describes how to tell if your horn was well made.

Half a Century of Conductors
Pat Strevens continues his anecdotes of some of the more (and less) memorable conductors of the postwar period.

Plus comprehensive news, readers' letters, a challenging crossword, views and CD reviews from the world of British horn playing.

John Ryan joins the LPO
The new joint principal horn of the London Philharmonic Orchestra talks to The Horn Player.

Efficient Articulation
Hugh Seenan gives some tips for cleaning up articulation - at both ends of a note.

Leonardo, Bicycles and Embouchures
Ralph Hall continues his fascinating discussion of the embouchure by summoning up an illustration from the 15th century.

The Legacy of the Alphorn
Frances Jones continues her in-depth examination of the influence of the traditional alphorn on horn writing and playing, this time in orchestral and chamber repertoire.

Performance-Related Ill-Health
Irena Rieband begins an examination of the effects of performance on health.

On the Move
The Horn Player updates us on the latest appointments in the horn world.

Plus comprehensive news, readers' letters, a fiendish crossword, views and CD reviews from the world of British horn playing.

2009 Festival Guest Artist
The eminent Hungarian horn player Szabolcs Zempleni tells the Horn Player about his musical life and preferences.

I Found My Horn on YouTube
Jim Moffatt describes the nerve-wracking process of auditioning for the much-publicised YouTube Symphony Orchestra.

No Blunt Instruments Needed
Following on from Bob Ashworth's article in the previous Horn Player, Ralph Hall discusses the importance of a clean attack in note production.

The Legacy of the Alphorn
Frances Jones discusses the influence of the traditional alphorn on horn writing and playing.

Eighty Not Out
Anthony Tunstall, who recently celebrated his 80th birthday, discusses his experiences during his 45 years playing horn in the orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

Endangered Species: Horn Player or Horn Teacher?
Laura Dakin describes the life of a peripatetic horn teacher.

Plus comprehensive news, readers' letters, views and CD reviews from the world of British horn playing.