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John, I have so enjoyed your videos and your beautiful musicianship ever since I discovered you on you tube. Most wonderful is hearing how the Lord has influenced your life, your music, and your art. Martin Smith, Joel Winter, and I roomed together our whole time at Juilliard. I had been a boy soprano and had the opportunity of singing in church choirs during my young life, in New Orleans, La., in addition to studying French horn and playing with the New Orleans Opera, and other venues as a young student. When I arrived at Juilliard in 1963, I saw an add on the wall near the lounge, saying, be like Tommy Tucker, sing for your supper. Well that was actually to sing for a free apartment in NYC, at St. Michaels Episcopal Church, at 100th. and Amsterdam. The choir director needed musicians that could sight sing and of course horn players don't have trouble with that. I had met Martin, another Southern that was born in New Orleans but grew up in Texas, and I told him about a free apartment if he didn't mind singing church music. Well Martin jumped at the chance, and then Joel heard us talking and he also auditioned for the job. The three of us got the job and we roomed together the whole time we were at Juilliard. On occasion you and I played some duets together, if my memory serves me right, in the large empty dance practice rooms. I freelanced in NY while I was in the West Point Army Band (having been drafted after graduation from Juilliard). Then after West Point I began a teaching, and playing career in Connecticut, Georgia, and then back south in Baton Rouge, La. , where I live now in retirement with my wife, children, and grandchildren. I am on fb with your wife Charlotte, are you on fb? God's Blessing to you my friend.

John Cerminaro is the greatest French horn soloist extant & his words have the utmost reasoning behind them. His students are famous worldwide. Thank you very much Mr. C. & bravo for such a superb post!

❤️👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

I think we tend to turn to philosophy, science, etc., when life gets confusing, and when we feel real sorrow, especially profound sorrow, hopelessness, all this sort of thing, we turn to true religion (but many people will not allow themselves to feel profound sorrow, which always leads to a state of greater humility when this is experienced). And the Apostle Paul said it best. True religion and undefiled is this- to visit the widows and fatherless, and to keep thyself unspotted from the world. I love these thoughts that you have. 😊😊😊👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

John it’s so good to discover your videos. May I ask if you are going to make another one?

I can identify with your sentiments about playing with a fast attack. My wife has made fun of me so many times over the years about my attacks. Practicing for hours on attacks, slurs, constant tuning, crescendos/decrescendos, etc. I have found that it’s so important to practice the correct embouchure, the correct air support, the correct breath control. But it’s just as important to not overthink it. I always practiced to make the notes happen almost accidentally. Not to ever force, press, or squeeze the notes. Doing those things squashed the beautiful tone I was working toward, and the musicality I was ultimately trying to rise to. It’s truly a head game. Thank you so much for sharing these thoughts with us. I wish I was able to meet/take a lesson from you! Most importantly, I would absolutely love to talk about the Lord and horn playing, the two great passions of my life.

Am at johncerminaro47@gmail.com ~ hoping you can write to me..!

Just out of curiosity. Did you perform any of your solo recordings on the Schmid triple horn?

Hey John! Where are you? Love to talk to you. We are still in Victoria. Give us a call!

I love these thoughts, Mr. Cerminaro. 😊 Being LDS myself, looking specifically at the bible, I tend to get a lot out of Genesis (the creation story, as well as Genesis 10-the origins of the nations), Daniel, Proverbs (very, very good book regarding how to best live life and conduct oneself, etc.), and the books of John (the words of Jesus himself), Corinthians and Galatians (the words of Paul-he could be quite direct, yes...) and Revelations (end times kinds of subjects) in the New Testament. Covid-19 is tough, sure. I had 30+ horn, piano and music composition students before Covid-19 hit, most of the lessons being half hour or 45 minute lessons-beginners and intermediate pianists and hornists, mainly. Only a handful of more advanced students in all three areas. I've been at around 20 students for quite a while now, having lost some less serious students, as well as a few others that were nervous about getting Covid-19, etc. and were hornists (but were not feeling like online lessons were as effective, etc.). I can only imagine that it has been tough for everyone, and I have tried to be as understanding and accommodating as I could be in this regard, even though it was my livelihood... I love watching these videos. You have so much to teach. I look forward to seeing more of them! 😊 One of these days I will be playing in orchestras again, Thalia Symphony has been my orchestra as of late-before Covid-19 hit. Also the Emerald Wind Quintet. I also am looking forward to chatting more with other hornists and composers in the area that I have met/worked with in the past, etc.-Mark Robbins, Jeff Fair, Hummie Mann, etc. Its weird not being as connected with everyone, etc. Hopefully we will be able to return to more musical/performance activities soon... 👍

Magnificent video, much appreciated, and so very much helpful. I actually studied 25 years ago in NY with your second horn, John Carabella! I'm sure you have great memories of those days (I hope)! But anyway this 25 minute video is like a whole college course and more. I've gotten back to playing in the last 2-3 years after a multiple year hiatus. Playing on a compensating Wunderlich, and Dennis Houghton is restoring a Kruspe Wendler compensating horn. Valve jobs on both. I wish you good luck and good health and many continued blessings! Thank you!

Thank you for your honesty, and testimony. God’s blessings to you. Jesus be with you. Am still seeking info on Chambers original mouthpiece. Ray Saenz raysaenz@sbcglobal.net

Hi John. Good to hear you hold court again. Loved to hear what you had to say about Martin. Be well.

Well said and brilliant. By the way John, I am a former student of your former colleague from the Philharmonic, John Carabella! He always spoke most highly of you. Thank you for all you do and have done

As a child I played the piano, and violin. Then about 19 I started playing the guitar which I adored like no other instrument. Damaged my left hand which was not my strumming hand, terribly at age 25 which ended my ability to play in 1982. Listening to this man speak brings back good memories of my life when I played. I listen to him speak I know without a doubt he's someone who knows what he's talking about. Glad I tuned in to this. Even though my playing days have been over for eons I'm listening because I think his words carry over into not just music but life in general.

Manny! As promised, I found Richard Feymann's quote, word for word: "I think it is safe to say that no one understands quantum mechanics utterly...In fact, it is often said that of all the theories proposed in this century, the silliest is quantum theory...Some say, that the only thing that quantum has going for it, is that it is unquestionably correct!" As if to underscore the mystery, i came across an earlier one by Niels Bohr (the father of quantum theory), just as astounding: "Everything we call real is made of things that cannot be call real. If quantum mechanics hasn't profoundly shocked you, you haven't understood it yet." JC (Romans 2:20)

i play french horn at my school

You've done it again

John, who are your favorite musicians, or better phrased, what musicians would you consider to be the greatest artists?

Yes, Manny, you were right (via email) to inquire of items I passed thru quickly without referencing or sourcing. On historical points, I learned much myself, researching names of the horn in earliest ages of antiquity. Thus, Sumerian: si, Sanskrit: srnga, India: singa, Hebrew: shofar, [9 to 6 BC]; Greek: kerad, [323 BC]; Etrusco-Roman: cornu, Tibetan: rwa-dun, Uganda: engambe; referenced in Olympic games [386 BC] & in recorded reliefs of Sennacherib [705-681 BCE]. Was also guided by key findings of 7 scholars: 1) Sir William M. Ramsay (DCL, Oxford; Lit. D, Cambridge), var. research texts & 1915 book (out of print); 2) Rbt. D. Wilson (prof. Semitic Philology, Princeton) var. writings on accuracy in language & history; 3) Dr. M. J. Adler (10 PhD's, Head of Philosophy Dept. U. of Chicago & Aspen Inst.) author, "Lexicon of Western Thought" & "Great Books of the Western World" (54 volume-set); 4) R. Feynman (Nobel Prize for Physics), Quantum Mechanics prof/lecturer Cal.Tech. U.; 5) C.S. Lewis, prof. Medieval & Renaissance Lit., Cambridge U.; 6) lectures by J. Lennox, prof. mathematics, Oxford U.; 7. discussions w/Dr. H. Gilbert, head research dept., Albert Einstein U.; Lastly, restricted myself to earliest confirmed writings by inhabitants of Euphrates-Tigris valley, 4004 BC; attempted no evaluation of pictographic Ante-Diluvian tablets, seals or cuneiform fragments at Kish, Eridu; nor Gilgamesh or Babylonian seals, pre-flood seals, cylinders, or Ziggurats at Ur, or remains at Tower of Babel, or mounds beneath (of stratified rubbish or water-laid clay), impossible to interpret or date w/any certitude. Hope this is useful, Manny (& all)... Kindest regards, JC

John mentions horn teachers & friends of his at the Jacobs School (I.U.); Juilliard, Manhattan & Mannes schools (NYC); Colburn School (L.A.); U. of Cincinnati, New England Conservatory; Curtis, Peabody & Cleveland Inst.'s; SMU & Rice schools (TX); & other top schools w/horn teachers who are also great players. ~ Reply to E-mails: Charlotte Cerminaro for husband, John ~

One of my favorite Williams themes. Very nice and lush, John!

I am so delighted to have just "discovered" these videos, John. I finally am now able to start playing the horn "full time"3- 4 hours a day, and completely re-approach the horn, a luxury I never had before.( I purposely stopped entirely last spring for about three months to start 'fresh' ( has spossible as that might be!). These videos will be valuable tools, indeed. I have never learned more about playing than I did getting to play 4th horn for you most weeks in Aspen for four summers in the early 80's.I am now far more able to hear what to have to say with your words, too. I am looking forward to a new adventure with the instrument. These videos will be a fine companion on the resumed journey. Deep Thanks. Tom Heady

Astonishing! Thank you a lot for this video, it's full of interesting thoughts and suggestions. Ciao from Italy! ;-)

Check out: www.maelstrommouthpieces.com/JC for latest MP info. Ciao, JC

Thank you for this video and your words of wisdom. Now instead of worrying about how I'm going to perform, I can prepare and play my horn boldly.

Forgive the delay, Saul. Yes, within past 1/2 century, considerable music written for/dedicated to me: 5 horn concertos, by: Samuel Jones, Henri Lazarof, David Amram, Wm. Schuman (AKA: "3 colloguies for hn & orch"), Rand Steiger (AKA: "Hexadecathlon"); 2 unaccompanied solos: Wm. Kraft, "Evening Voluntaries", H. Lazarof, "Intrada"; 5 Chamber pieces: A. Rose, "Septet" (2 hns, cimb, stg quart), M. Kamen "Sonata in F"" (hn & pn ~ unfinished..RIP), D. Milhaud, "Cor l'echo du Alpin" (hn & stgs), G. Schwarz, "Trio" (hn, vln, pn); R. Svane, "At Earth's Imagined Corners" (hn, tenor, stgs, tymp). Hastily written... To any/all unlisted, excuse the "lapsus calami"...will amend, asap! Thanks for asking, paisan... Shalom, JC

Just wondering, as per previous questions, what pieces of music have been written for you (or dedicated to you) throughout your career? Saul

Mr. Cerminaro, I find your story and your music so very inspiring. Thank you for sharing.

John, we haven't spoken for years, but I'm finding this series of videos absolutely fascinating ! You are reminding me of evenings with Ralph Pyle... It's so illuminating to listen to you... Its been many years since we spent18 hrs. working on the modifications for your Paxman triple. I understand that my Paxman has found it's way to a player in Seattle... I hope he has success with it. I wish you All the Best. We should try to get together ! ... I'll call the Orchestra and leave my telephone #.Best Wishes, Ron Applegate

Are you on Facebook? There's a lot of interesting new age/ old age music talk on there. we would love to have you. we can also e-mail with very easy access on Facebook, too. I'd love to stay in contact and exchange new ideas. I've figured out how to play at 432 Hz with all my slides pushed in and with a huge resonant sound that carries with half the effort, so it gives the illusion that everyone else I play with are playing way too sharp, and I can introduce the 432 Hz perfect pitch to them. :) I've got several marching bands in my area tuning to 432 Hz because it works well with the colder temperatures of the season. I like to play at a balance at ~french tuning at 436 Hz (with that 1Hz lift). I can't wait to get your opinions on the things that I've rediscovered. :)

You're perfect to me! :)

I absolutely adore your mind! Great minds think alike. :)

I feel complete, now. You spoke to me. Is this a dream? :)

I love how you play in old French tuning. I do the same. Here lately, I've been having to play with all my tuning slides pushed in, because I woke up one day and God said, only 432 Hz for you. I still play at 432 Hz with all my tuning slides pushed in and I can even play 440 with my main slide all the way out. I play on an Opus. I just find it easier to tune with my ears, because, no matter where my slides are, my ears put the notes where they need to go.

Wonderful ideas, John.

Fantastic!!! What piece is name you played in the beginning?

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and your testimony, Mr. Cerminaro!

An inspiration to us all.