The 2011 British Horn Festival lineup featured Steven Stirling (pictured).

The Eternal Question
Six of Britain's leading horn players and teachers debate whether it is better, when on a limited budget, to buy a new or secondhand instrument.

The three Ws
Ralph Hall argues for the three Ws of practice - why, what and when?

The Walding Bursary
Jonathan Stoneman describes the Sue and Freddie Walding Bursary Fund, administered by the British Horn Society, which helps talented young players with little money to (usually) buy a decent instrument.

A New View of Dennis Brain
Stephen Gamble, co-author of a new book on Dennis Brain, reappraises the legend.

Top Mann
John Humphries profiles one of 19th century London's finest horn players - Thomas Mann.

If problems strike, get help.
Irena Marie Rieband sums up some of the themes emerging from her research into horn and performance-related illness.

Treasure Trove
Roger Montgomery describes the trio of Raoux horns, dating from the mid-19th century, that was unearthed in a storeroom at the Royal Opera House, London in 1993.

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

2011 Festival Preview
BHS Chairman, Roger Montgomery, sets the scene for the 2011 British Horn Festival, to be held on 23rd October at the Royal Opera House, London (the Floral Hall is pictured).

A Hero's Life
Jonathan Stoneman talks to the horn section of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.

Climb Ev'ry Mountain - in Mumbai
Joe Walters describes how his project to film an Indian musical version of The Sound of Music in a Mumbai slum school ended up being as difficult as climbing the Himalayas (but succeeded in the end!)

The BBC Philharmonic in Japan
Phill Stoker describes the events when the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, on tour in Japan, was caught up in the events of the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

Is musicianship innate or can it be taught?
Ralph Hall continues to debate this eternal question.

The pursuit of confidence in horn playing - from dis-ease to ease.
Irena Marie Rieband advocates celebrating every small success, especially after a crisis of confidence.

John Burden - a student's perspective
Robert Parker describes being taught by John Burden, one of the great horn teachers, who died in late 2010.

A horn, a horn, my kingdom for a horn!
The incomparable Farquharson Cousins suggests that William Shakespeare may have had a secret love - the horn.

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

2010 Festival Review
John Brownlee reports from Edinburgh on the many splendid highlights of the 2010 British Horn Festival.

Is it possible to teach musicianship?
Ralph Hall debates this eternal question.

The pursuit of confidence in horn playing - from dis-ease to ease.
The Horn Player details more of Irena Marie Rieband's fascinating research into performance anxiety .

A Tribute to John Burden
BHS Historian, Tony Catterick, pays tribute to one of the greats of British horn playing, who died in late 2010.

Farewells
The Horn Players bids farewell to James Quaife, Chris Satterthwaite, Peter Wilkinson, and Maurice Murphy, all of whom died in recent months.

A Solo Horn in Goa
John Humphries meets Rui Lobo, the only horn player in Goa, and hears how he plans to resurrect horn playing there.

OAE experience scheme for young players
The Horn Player profiles the two players, Amanda Mitchell and Pierre-Antoine Tremblay, selected for the 2011 Ann and Peter Law Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment experience programme for young players. The aim is to give exceptionally gifted young period instrument players the opportunity to participate in OAE concert projects as well as receiving ongoing mentoring from OAE musicians.

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