Name: Hot Springs Horn Ensemble Fall Concert
Start: 2025-11-23T15:00:00-06:00
Location: 200 Whittington Ave, Hot Springs National Park, AR 71901-3408, United States

The newly founded Hot Springs Horn Ensemble (HSHE) will present the first concert of its inaugural season on Sunday, November 23 at 3:00 p.m. in the Oaklawn Foundation Community Center at the Arkansas School for Math, Sciences & the Arts (200 Whittington Avenue, Hot Springs). The concert will be held on the second floor of the Creativity and Innovation Complex (CIC), with convenient parking located behind the building. Handicapped parking and elevators are available. The performance is free and open to the public, lasting about an hour with a brief intermission. A meet-and-greet with the musicians will follow.
𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺
The fall program showcases the horn in a wide variety of styles:
• Film & Television Favorites – including themes from Star Trek (Original Series, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and The Motion Picture) and Warrior Medley featuring music from Conan the Barbarian, 13th Warrior, Braveheart, Gladiator, and Thor.
• Sacred Chorales Across the Ages – works by Palestrina, di Lasso, Bach, Mozart, and Mendelssohn.
• Patriotic Classics – The Star-Spangled Banner and Eternal Father, Strong to Save (the “Navy Hymn”).
• International Inspirations – Irish Tune from County Derry (“Danny Boy”) and Amparito Roca (Spanish paso doble).
• . . . and a Little Bit o’ Fun – Frippery No. 8 by Lowell Shaw, a playful barbershop-inspired piece.
This eclectic mix highlights the horn’s unique versatility, from its noble, chorale-like sonorities to its bold cinematic power.
𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘁 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝗻 𝗘𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗲 (𝗛𝗦𝗛𝗘)
Founded in spring 2025 by French hornist and Hot Springs Village resident Dr. Mary Ritch, the Hot Springs Horn Ensemble brings together horn players from across Arkansas—from Little Rock to Russellville, Hot Springs, Malvern, and Arkadelphia. Members range from 17 to 67 and include high school and college students, current and retired band directors, amateur hornists, and professional performers.
The ensemble’s mission is to enrich the Hot Springs and South-Central Arkansas arts community, support and educate young musicians, connect horn players of all backgrounds, and increase awareness of horn playing and its wide-ranging repertoire.
HSHE presents one formal concert each semester, as well as community performances at festivals, sporting events, and local venues. Future performances are planned for this Christmas season at venues in Hot Springs and Little Rock. Check their Facebook page for upcoming events.
𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀
The group is led by conductor and arranger Cody Ford, who co-directs the Wind Ensemble at The Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts and received his Master’s degree in conducting from UCA. The group has a rotating musician roster and also uses guest musicians to cover other instruments as needed, such as percussion, piano, organ and bass, and features the horn in smaller chamber ensembles such as quartets, trios, and duets.
𝗛𝗦𝗛𝗘 𝗶𝘀 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀!
HSHE welcomes horn players of all ages and backgrounds. To encourage growth, the repertoire ranges from accessible to highly challenging, giving members opportunities to develop their skills. Players also rotate within the section, gaining experience across the horn’s full four-octave range and reading in both treble and bass clefs. HSHE’s music library is extensive, built from Dr. Ritch’s 26 years on the West Coast, and includes the complete collections of The Los Angeles Horn Club and San Diego Hornswoggle—featuring many film music arrangements by Southern California composers. The ensemble rehearses on the 4th Saturday of the month from 11:30 am - 2:00 pm at Fountain Lake High School Band Room in Hot Springs.
𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗲
HSHE is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing high-quality French horn performances to the community. While admission to concerts is free, donations are encouraged to help cover music, musician fees, and venue rental. Contributions may be made at concerts through a “Give What You Wish” option at the welcome table or online via GoFundMe. Exceeding the fundraising goal will support future concerts and community programs.
𝗚𝗼𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗠𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗻: https://gofund.me/f4f29d90