Past Tributes
Each year a member of the horn playing community is honoured with a tribute for their contributions in the areas of performance, teaching, artistry, and dedication to the horn. To make a nomination for future events, please contact Katie Toksoy.
2006: Eugene Rittich
2008: Barbara Bloomer
Barbara Bloomer has lead the Toronto Horn Club for 30 years, many of whose members have advanced to professional playing careers. Miss Bloomer played low horn with the Buffalo Philharmonic and then Toronto Symphony Orchestra for two decades. Her first horn teacher was her father, Fred Bradley at the Eastman School of Music where she graduated in 1955. She also studied with Willem Valkenier in Boston and in Sweden with Wilhelm Lansky-Otto.
Her former student Gary Pattison writes: “Miss Bloomer, my first horn teacher, introduced me to a world of musical possibilities. From the beginning, she emphasized the low register of the instrument as a compliment to the high, an advantage that has proven indispensable to my career. Her passion for continued learning and growth inspired me to follow her lead to continue my studies in Europe. As well, her Toronto Horn Club ignited my interest in writing for horn ensembles. A heartfelt thanks Barbara, for your guidance, inspiration and support.”
2009: James MacDonald
2010: Gary Pattison
2011: John Simonelli
John Simonelli has enjoyed a lifetime of professional performance and teaching on the horn. Born in Utica, New York, graduated from the Curtis Institute of Music in 1959 where he studied with Mason Jones. His orchestral experience includes the New Orleans Symphony (1959-60), Washington National Symphony (1960-62), Toronto Symphony (1962- 65), the Philadelphia Orchestra (1965-75), the Grand and Lyric Opera of Philadelphia (1965-75), Toronto Symphony (1975-98), Canadian Opera Company, Canadian Ballet, CBC Symphony and countless Broadway shows, movie scores, jingle and recording sessions. The list of conductors include the likes of Eugene Ormandy, Walter Susskind, Andrew Davis, Leopold Stokowsky, Zubin Mehta, Lorin Maazel, Seiji Ozawa, to name a few. His teaching credits include Temple University in Philadelphia, Settlement School of Philadelphia, and the Faculty of Music at University of Toronto. Also Mr. Simonelli has coached and taught privately for over 40 years. Students of Mr. Simonelli are playing in symphonies, opera and ballet orchestras and teaching in conservatories and universities around the world.PresentlyJohnSimonelliresidesinToronto. Hisfortyyeartenure in symphony orchestras has taken him around the world and his playing can be heard on well over 100 recordings.
2012: Gloria Ratcliffe
