Abigail Sanders

French Horn

Lesson Fees
from $30.00 / 30 Minutes

Promotions Available

Free 15 minute trial lessons

About

My name is Abigail and I am a french horn player and brass teacher.  I was born near the South Coast of England and studied Horn at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.  I moved to Berlin, Germany in 2013, attracted by the city's vibrant music scene.  As a musician I am active in the contemporary music and free improvisation scene and much of my own music revolves around animal themes, for example my project 'Sounding Whales', where I am learning to become fluent in whale song on the french horn.  I am also the first qualified Suzuki Brass Teacher in Berlin.
 
Teaching Experience
I have been a freelance teacher and horn player since I graduated from my studies in 2009 and have taught a wide variety of ages in various teaching settings.  In 2022 I became a certified Level 1 Suzuki Brass Teacher, with examination on French Horn and Trumpet.  I was the second person in Germany to receive this qualification.  I continue my professional development with Ann-Marie Sundberg in Stockholm, the creator of the Suzuki method adapted for brass instruments.  I currently teach brass at the state-funded Béla Bartók Music School in Pankow, Berlin, and I have horn, trumpet and trombone students from aged 4 to adults.
 
Playing Experience
Wolff-Ferrari's IL SEGRETO DI SUSANNA Berlin Opera Group, Konzerthaus 13.06.21
Claire Vivianne Sobottke Velvet's Garden / Étude animale PACT Zollverein Essen 20-22.05.21
Hannes Zerbe Jazz Orchestra, Museum of Musical Instruments 25.11.21 u. Kulturstall am Schloß Britz 29.01.2022
Berlin International Brass, Biesdorf Castle 11-12.12.21
Berlin Improvisers Orchestra, Industriesalon Schöneweide 05.12.21
Doctoral Programme "Rethinking Environment" University of Augsburg 28.10.2021 Solo Guest Programme of Bach
and whale song compositions
"Softbrass" sound/image recording for Native Instruments 26.10.2021-09.11.2021
"Solo Humpback Whale" (own composition) Anyway 24.09.21 "Glacier Bay Nov 2020 World Premiere (own
composition) horn and percussion with Yorgos Dimitriadis
Berlin Bricolage Ensemble conducted by Jonas Schoen-Philbert Kühlhaus Berlin 30 Sep 2021
"Down to Earth" Martin Gropius Bau, Aug 2020 Music and Dance Piece: Claire Vivianne Sobottke "Velvet"
KAPmodern Ensemble Humus Carola Bauckholt Humus for bass flute, bass clarinet, horn, 6 organ pipes,
hoover (14.02.2018)
Orchestral work
Highlights include Kammerakademie Potsdam, Berlin Sinfonietta, Kammerorchester Unter den Linden,
Prussian Chamber Orchestra, Bürgersinfonie. Performed at venues such as Berliner Philharmonie, Berlin
Tempodrom, Kuppelsaal at the HCC Hanover, Friedrich-Ebert-Halle Hamburg, Volkshaus Theatersaal Zurich

For adults

 I work with you to come up with fun creative ways of improving technique, for example strength across the registers, good breathing, musicality and quality of sound. The main priority is to help you connect to your core sound, which is unique to you. Lessons include playing technique, connecting to your core sound, contemporary music and extended techniques, improvisation, jazz building confidence...

For Parents of Suzuki Students (children 4 and upwards)

The Suzuki method consists of individual weekly lessons and regular group lessons (if possible). It is a "whole child" approach, where the teacher and parent work together to create a positive environment for learning.  I emphasize learning to play by ear - listening first, before playing, and reading musical notation is introduced gradually. The children can start as early as four years old and they learn through playing. As a parent you also learn along with the child and receive education and training for this.  There is a repertoire book, used by Suzuki students across the world, so not only is your child receiving tuition from a highly trained teacher in tried and tested methods, but they also become part of a wider international community and will be able to play the same songs with children in different countries.

BMus(Hons) in French Horn Performance from the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester
Qualified to teach SUZUKI™ Trumpet and Horn (Level 1) by the European Suzuki Association

For Suzuki Horn and Trumpet Pupils:

Suzuki Trumpet School, Volume 1 with accompanying CD  /Audio download.  Start listening as soon as possible! This book can also be used by horn students, supplementing with Recipe for Success: A balanced curriculum for young horn players by Houghton Horns.  The rest of the teaching materials will be provided.

For adults:

For intermediate and advanced students we discuss learning materials and repertoire in the lesson, to tailor the lessons to your musical interests.  A general recommendation for an adult's beginners book is Learn As You Play French Horn by Peter Wastall.  It has good easy classical pieces in that are not all children's songs.

To advanced horn students wanting to build up a strong embouchure I recommend this resource of video lessons and PDFs by Julie http://www.julielandsman.com/gallery

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