Composed of experienced performers and music educators from NC State University and Duke University, Children of the Horn is an instrumental ensemble that has created a unique sound by combining influences from Soul, Jazz, Rhythm and Blues and World music.
With a front-line of horns backed by a rhythm section, Children of the Horn takes students on a kaleidoscopic journey through original compositions that range from super-syncopated Funk and Latin to swaggering New Orleans Second Line to classic Motown-inspired grooves. Their tight arrangements and skillfully improvised solos have earned the band opportunities to share the stage with international stars such as Dirty Dozen Brass Band, P-Funk, and Dr. Lonnie Smith.
Past NC festival engagements include Centerfest, Taste of Durham, Shakori Hills Festival, Lazy Daze, Peak Fest, Beaufort Music Festival, Carrboro Music Festival, Holly Springs Jazz Daze, African Heritage Festival, and Matthews Alive. Members of the band have performed with Billy Joel, Luciano Pavarotti, The Pointer Sisters, Little Anthony and the Imperials, The Four Tops, The Temptations, The Coasters, Clay Aiken, Regis Philbin, Susan Lucci, Lorna Luft, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, Dr. Lonnie Smith, The Cab Calloway Orchestra and the New Centry Saxophone Quartet.
“Children of the Horn provided a very entertaining set that everyone enjoyed. I was impressed by their musicianship and professional presentation. The crowd in attendance was very responsive to their music. I would recommend Children of the Horn for any live music event and will definitely hire them again when opportunity presents itself. – The Ujima Group
Raleigh’s Children of the Horn hit the funk heavy … they do tasty soul jazz and world music too.” – Independent Weekly, March 2006
“[Children of the Horn] is very much a collective effort, rather than solo effort and all the musicians make excellent contributions to the infectious happy groove. The production is impeccable and if you want some music to get a party going — or you just want to listen to something that makes you feel good –then this is the CD for you!” – A. Henderson
PERFORMANCES
Assembly Concert: (Gr. K-12) This assembly concert serves as an excellent educational tool for raising both the awareness and appreciation of brass instruments among students. Each program includes both narration and music: the narration emphasizes the important role brass play; the music includes songs that demonstrate the versatility of brass instruments. Together, the narration and music demonstrate the important role that brass instruments fulfill in the creation of various types of music from super syncopated funk and Latin to swaggering New Orleans Jazz to classic Motown-inspired grooves. Following its performance, the members of the band answer questions from the audience.
WORKSHOPS
The band’s leader contacts the class sponsor prior to the date of the class to discuss the performance level and needs of the participating students so that the band leader can design the class to meet the specific needs of the participating students. Band members teach technique, pitch awareness, breath control, practice methods and other information essential to effectively play the instrument class selected. Students are encouraged to ask questions and to demonstrate their newly acquired knowledge. (Please call for pricing and additional information.)
