John Saint-Amour says, "I've played horn for a long time and enjoyed every moment of it. I'd like to give something back to my musical friends." His way of doing that is to throw a "Gigantic 70th Birthday Party" to which all his friends, and particularly all horn players, are invited.
John is excited that New England Horn Ensemble will do a horn choir reading and hopes that everyone who can will attend, whether they know him yet or not. Will Traphagen, a friend of John's and conductor of orchestras John plays in, will conduct the choir. Unofficial groups can play any time they want! There will be hors d'oeuvres in the afternoon, buffet dinner at 5 p.m., and open bar until closing.
John has founded a company, operating from his house, called On Line Controls that makes a system to control manufacture of medical tubing. In the music arena, he is currently principal horn in the Central Mass. Symphony, plays with the Savoyard Light Opera Company, and often plays shows in Worcester, recently including Secret Garden and New Moon. He has also played Pavaratti concerts and in many dance bands such as Ray Anthony's. John has played horn since junior high and has had some lessons, but no other formal musical training.
Probably John's most exciting musical enterprise is the commissioning of a work by Alan Mueller for horn and orchestra called Konzertstueck. John is playing the premiere with the Thayer Symphony Orchestra in February 1996, and he offers a copy to anyone in NEHE.
Alan Mueller, composer and pianist, is a native of Clinton MA, served with the US Air Force Band, and received his degree from Clark University. He is active as both classical and jazz pianist, is music director of Clinton's United Church of Christ, and is on the faculty of Clark University and Thayer Conservatory of Music. His compositions have been performed by orchestras around the world.
Twelve horn players showed up among John's guests, and Will Trapagan conducted lots of fun pieces. A good time was had by all. Your editor attended the party but was unable to play because of gashed fingers. In fact, John substituted for her as second horn in Hansel and Gretel with the Concord Orchestra the day after the party, with no rehearsal. He did a great job. John is now retired. He still plays horn but doesn't travel far at night.