The mellow tone of the horn and its uniqueness are some of the reasons Rachel Papillon was drawn to the instrument six years ago. Also, the opportunity arose when she was given a horn (commonly called the French horn) after her cousin decided not to play it anymore.
The 18-year-old was selected as the senior category winner at Heartland Symphony Orchestra's 2007 Youth Concerto auditions. She will perform "Horn Concerto, Op. 8" by Franz Strauss. She auditioned in January to perform the solo with the orchestra.
Rachel described the concerto as a very expressive piece that also has a lot of technical passages. Her current horn teacher is Janet Anderson of Sauk Rapids.
She hasn't always liked the sound of herself playing the horn.
"It's been hard work," she said. "I like the way it sounds now."
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Rachel is the daughter of Stephen and Linda Papillon of Wadena, and the sixth of nine children. Her other siblings also play instruments so there is a practice schedule during the day. She also plays the piano. Rachel is home-schooled and said that probably allows her more time to practice her music than if she were attending public school.
Although she is home schooled, Rachel also participates in band, track and cross country at Wadena-Deer Creek High School. She was in all-state band for two years.
Rachel said she is nervous for her solo with the orchestra but has played for audiences before.
"Once I start playing, I'm fine because I like to play," she said.
She hopes to continue playing the horn and study music in college. She will attend a Bible school in Plymouth, Minn., for two years and then probably transfer to another college. Rachel is thinking about being a music major.
"[Horn] is very unique," she said. "Not a lot of people play it. It's pretty mellow, in between a trumpet and a trombone."
Her parents have always been supportive and encourage music.
"They were both music majors," Rachel said. "They both play piano and guitar and mom plays trombone."
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Orchestra to perform April 14, 15
Heartland Symphony Orchestra's spring concert, titled "Movie Magic," will be performed at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 14, at Charles Martin Auditorium in Little Falls and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 15, at Tornstrom Auditorium in Brainerd. The HSO will present a survey of all types of movie music. Selections to be performed that were written specifically for movies include music from Harry Potter movies, "Superman," James Bond films and "Love Story." Many movies also utilize classical music, written centuries before movies were even created, and this concert will also showcase some of those pieces written by Mozart, Holst, and the waltz king Johann Strauss, Jr. Other familiar movie favorites to be performed are "Moon River," "On the Beautiful Blue Danube" and "New York, New York."
The 2007 Youth Concerto winners will also perform as soloists at the spring concerts. Junior category winner, Sedra Lynn Bistodeau from Princeton, Minn., will perform the third movement of Max Bruch's "Violin Concerto No.1 in G minor." Senior category winner, Rachel Papillon, will perform "Horn Concerto, Op. 8" by Franz Strauss.
Heartland Symphony concert tickets are available at Bridge of Harmony and Brainerd Daily Dispatch in Brainerd and at Bookin' It and Great River Arts Center in Little Falls. Tickets are also available at the door for all HSO concerts as well. For more information call the Heartland Symphony Orchestra office at (800) 826-1997. These activities are made possible in part by grants provided by The Laura Jane Musser Fund and the Five Wings Arts Council through funding from the Minnesota State Arts Board.
