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THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC - HORN STUDIO

Under the direction of Dr. Kiirsi Maunula Johnson
Follow us on Instagram @uakron_horns


Welcome to The University of Akron Horn Studio!

The horn studio is thriving with members majoring in education, performance, and composition. They are an ambitious group of horn players who sound fantastic, work well together, and have fun in the process.

The horn choir is the pride and joy of the horn studio and the ensemble regularly performs national anthems, gives recitals, and attends horn workshops around the country.

Interested in pursuing a music degree at
The University of Akron?

•  How to apply
•  How to audition
•  Degrees we offer

Why Choose The University of Akron?

Performance opportunities
Horn majors at UA have the opportunity to play in band, orchestra, chamber ensembles, jazz band, and brass choir.

Career success
Our music education department currently has a 99% job placement rate.

Dedicated faculty
Dr. Maunula Johnson is one of many University of Akron School of Music Professors that offer their time and commitment to each student in their program. Prospective students are invited to have a complimentary lesson with Dr. Maunula Johnson, details below.

Horn Faculty

Dr. Kiirsi Maunula Johnson

University of Akron School of Music Assistant Professor of Horn, Dr. Kiirsi Maunula Johnson

Canadian hornist Dr. Kiirsi Maunula Johnson is the Horn Professor at the University of Akron, where she was recently the recipient of the 2023 Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences ‘Outstanding Teaching’ award. An active clinician, chamber musician and soloist, she has performed and presented on national and international stages for the International Horn Society, Ohio Music Educators Conference (OMEA), Music Fest Canada National Conference, and the CBDNA National Conference in 2015. Recently, she was a featured soloist with the University of Akron Wind Symphony, and in 2018 premiered Michael Conway Baker’s Remembrances for solo horn and brass ensemble at Memorial University, Canada.

An advocate of new music, Dr. Maunula Johnson is co-founder of Conspiratus Brass, which celebrates the promotion and commission of underrepresented Canadian and American repertoire for the trumpet, horn, and piano. Together, they have commissioned half of the repertoire written for this instrumentation, and through generous grant support, they released their first album of newly commissioned works in April 2020. 

Dr. Maunula Johnson spends her summers teaching at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. She previously served as Visiting Assistant Professor of Horn at the Crane School of Music (SUNY, Potsdam). She holds degrees from Florida State University, the University of Cincinnati (CCM), and Western University.

Prospective Students

In the School of Music, we offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in music. We are always looking to make new additions to our studio. Prospective students are invited to visit the campus and have a complimentary lesson with Dr. Maunula Johnson.

To arrange a visit or a lesson with Dr. Maunula Johnson, email her directly at: kmaunulajohnson@uakron.edu .

An example tentative schedule:

9 - 10 a.m. | Lesson with Dr. Maunula Johnson
10 - 11 a.m. | Shadow student in class
11 - noon | Lunch at the Student Union with students
Noon - 1 p.m. | Play with Horn Choir
1 - 3 p.m. | Play with Symphonic Band

Horn Audition Requirements

Undergraduate

  1. Audition: Required
  2. Accompanist: Not Needed
  3. Repertoire: Two pieces (solos or etudes) of contrasting style. One should be lyrical and one should be more technical. Major scales up to 4 sharps and 4 flats.

Graduate

  1. Audition: Required
  2. Accompanist: Not Needed
  3. Repertoire: Two contrasting major solo works and also an etude demonstrating technique. Have prepared a group of 4-5 contrasting orchestral excerpts.

Apply here

Community Horn Club
Community Horn Club

  • SIGN UP HERE to join our mailing list for upcoming events.

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Auditions & Jobs

Performance Opportunities

Teaching Opportunities

Contact us

The University of Akron Horn Studio is a welcoming community! Please contact us with any questions you may have. We look forward to hearing from you.

The School of Music - Horn Studio

Guzzetta Hall 374
The University of Akron
Akron, OH 44325-1002

Phone: 330-972-6625
Email: kmaunulajohnson@uakron.edu