Looking For A Window – The Lanta Horn Duo

The Lanta Horn Duo, comprised of Katy Ambrose and Lauren Hunt, has a social justice mission that has led to commissions of new works and performances in the United States and abroad. The duo has given recital performances and masterclasses across the United States. Lanta has also presented and performed at numerous International Horn Symposia and the 2022 International Women’s Brass Conference. Katy and Lauren bonded over a shared world view and common life experiences: both were raised by band director parents and both had extensive prior experience working in music education programs in disadvantaged communities. They are also both passionate about entrepreneurial musicianship and the experiences of 21st-century musicians. This album shares some perspectives of women who occupy male-dominated spaces.

Women are a significantly underrepresented group in the field of brass instrument performance. Some studies suggest reasons for inequity in brass stemming from lack of role models, and others point to persistent stereotypes that suggest that brass instruments are only for male performers.

Female composers face similar challenges; since Hildegard von Bingen (born 1098), they have faced prejudices and denigration of their works because of their sex. This messaging continues to the modern day; many music history textbooks still present female composers of the Romantic era (such as Clara Schumann and Fanny Mendelssohn) as a nicety, or as a way to give some variety, as opposed to significant composers in their own rights.

This project directly addresses these continuing issues, by allowing for non-tokenistic presentation of these works, and offers support for the next generation of composers.