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Meet the Orchestra
Horn
Philip Myers
Principal, The Ruth F. and Alan J. Broder Chair
Philip Myers joined the Philharmonic as Principal French Horn (The Ruth F. and Alan J. Broder Chair) in January 1980, and made his solo debut with the Orchestra that month in the premiere of William Schuman’s Three Colloquies for French Horn and Orchestra. He has since appeared as a Philharmonic soloist often, most recently performing Mozart’s Horn Concerto No. 2, conducted by Lorin Maazel, in New York in January 2008 and again in February ...
“The best thing about being a musician is the variety of life. Every year is different — in playing the instrument, touring. The job makes it interesting.”
Erik Ralske
Acting Associate Principal
Erik Ralske joined the New York Philharmonic as third horn in September 1993 after eleven years of experience in principal positions in five different North American orchestras. These include six years as Associate Principal Horn with the Houston Symphony Orchestra, three years as Principal Horn with the Vancouver Symphony, and one season each as Principal Horn in the Florida Symphony and Tulsa Philharmonic orchestras. A native of Long Island, he ...
“I knew that I wanted to be a professional musician in high school, after playing with an orchestra for the first time. I also realized I had more talent for music than for ice hockey, my other great passion.”
Cara Kizer Aneff
Assistant Principal and Utility Horn
Cara Kizer Aneff joined the New York Philharmonic as Assistant Principal/Utility Horn on April 26, 2010. Prior to joining the Philharmonic, she was an active freelancer, performing with groups such as New York City Opera, the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, on Broadway, and regularly as a substitute player with the New York Philharmonic. She has performed as guest principal horn with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and was a first-prize winner at The American ...
R. Allen Spanjer
R. Allen Spanjer joined the Philharmonic as Second Horn in February 1993. He appeared with the Orchestra as a featured soloist in performances of Schumann’s Konzertstück for Four Horns in 1995, 2001, and 2007, as well as on the Philharmonic’s 1996 European Festivals Tour and 2001 Latin American Tour. He was also featured in 1996 in Vivaldi’s Concerto for Two Horns with Principal Horn Philip Myers. Prior to joining the Philharmonic Mr. Spanjer ...
“Our section is very close, and we have known each other for many years. To be a part of such a great section is fantastic, and it’s great getting paid to do what you love to do.”
Howard Wall
Howard Wall, a native of Pittsburgh, joined the horn section of the New York Philharmonic in March 1994. Previously, he was a member of The Philadelphia Orchestra for nearly 20 years. He is also a former member of both the Phoenix Symphony and the Denver Symphony Orchestra. He has appeared as soloist with the New York Philharmonic in Schumann’s Konzertstück for Four Horns in New York as well as in Europe and South America, and can be heard on the ...
“Playing the horn doesn’t feel like work, and the people in the horn section are all my friends; I look forward to seeing them and working with them every day.”
