SCV seeking experienced French Horn player

[FHdork]

http://www.scvanguard.org/about/news/news.cfm?news_id=2f7e7897-ef9a-48c8-912e-300900e761ce

I got fairly excited when I saw this, thinking the great SCV was making a quality move...thumbing their nose at conventional wisdom and going all out for quality of sound and tonal balance. Then I read the fine print...they're seeking, 'an experienced French Horn player' to fill a spot in the mello line.

I've always found this interesting...does anyone think they'll see similar announcements for this or other corps? For example: 'Cadets seek experienced Trumpet player to fill spot in the Bass line', or 'Blue Devils seek experienced snare drummer to fill spot in the Tuba line'.

I understand...people think French Horn and mellophone are twin siblings from different mothers or something. They're actually completely different instruments. No band director in North America pulls their trumpet section aside and tells them, 'ok folks, during marching band season, you'll be playing on baritones...it's better for you...and makes the band better, so I know you'll be both willing - and EAGER - to do this. AND...it will make you a better trumpet player'.

[AZFan]

From what I understand of SCV, the highly prefer horn players to play mellophone for them. I believe on their site where they discuss audition info, they talk about how mello auditionees should give "travel preference" to their concert horn.

[hornandsoccer]

SCV wants the mellophones to sound like F horns. Some will disagree with this approach, others thinks it's prescient. It's how it is. They need an experienced horn player for the spot, that's how it is.

Having said that, I am aware of more than a few of the mello line members not being primarily horn players. However, considering it is April, I would think that there will be priority given to interested horn players.