Ossining Horn Standout In Prestigious Master Class

Marcus Shaw of Ossining, New York has spent his time in coronavirus isolation perfecting a French horn piece that won him a coveted spot in The Philadelphia International Music Festival’s virtual Master Class with Philadelphia Orchestra Associate Principal Horn Jeffrey Lang on Friday, November 20th, 2020 at 7 p.m. The prestigious online Master Class series attracts auditions from gifted musicians the world over, eager to perform for stars of The Philadelphia Orchestra on PIMF’s faculty.

“We’ve been seeing some very high-caliber young musical talent submitting extraordinary auditions,” says PIMF President Sandy Marcucci. “We’re delighted by the enthusiasm and so heartened to see how young musicians are pursuing their musical passion with a will to learn and improve in spite of so much disruption.”

Marcus will play Richard Strauss’ 1st Horn Concerto in Eb for Mr. Lang and a worldwide online audience at the interactive Master Class, after which he’ll receive analysis and constructive criticism from the internationally-renowned horn player, along with supportive running commentary from viewers in real time.

“Often, I will record my practice sessions and share them on social media,” Marcus says. “I find it helpful to engage with as many listeners as possible, as their feedback helps to shape my playing and prepare for diverse audiences.”

In addition to exhaustive and meticulous practice, Marcus has been researching the performance history of the piece, so that his interpretation is accurate to Strauss’s intentions.

“Although the piece is well over a century old, I hope to portray (its) many layers of complexity, such as the contrasting characters that arise throughout,” Marcus explains. “Though I strive to demonstrate and maintain the traditional style in which this piece has always been heard, I am continuously interested in incorporating new ideas, especially from masters such as Jeffrey Lang. I hope to gain new insights on how to continually embed this into my future playing by listening, reflecting, and taking note on what I hear.”

Marcus will be performing the Strauss concerto as part of his college auditions. The 19-year-old is currently on a gap year but splits his time as a full member of no fewer than three orchestras: the New York Youth Symphony, the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra, and the Philadelphia Sinfonia. He studies with Leelanee Sterrett, Acting Associate Principal Horn of the New York Philharmonic.

“More and more, we’re finding that there’s a real hunger for that connection to live classical music performance that we’ve had to put on hold during the pandemic,” Ms. Marcucci adds, “along with a growing interest in improving musical skills and even just learning something new. Not to mention, we’re showcasing the classical music superstars of tomorrow! Our Master Class series hits all the right notes for so many music lovers, and we’re delighted to make them widely accessible.”