I arrived quite early for the horn and string concert at the Keene Valley Congregational Church in Keene Valley and was pleased to catch the end of the rehearsal including the string number that had horn player, Ann Ellsworth, and her child doing a do-si-do in the middle aisle of the church.

The event that was about to unfold was a program sponsored by a not-for-profit local arts support group, East Branch Friends of the Arts, featuring two soprano horn players, Ann Ellsworth and Rachel Drehmann, and the New York City-based string quartet Osso in an evening of virtuoso chamber music.

Soprano horns are rather uncommon and the selection of music was a bit obscure because there are not typically instruments or performers available to accommodate the music as written, perhaps understandably as Ann Ellsworth would explain to us.

During the course of the concert, she told us that she had bought her horn from someone who could no longer play it because he had contracted glaucoma, evidently a known side effect of long-term playing this type of instrument. Ann shared with us what happened when she told her father that playing this instrument caused glaucoma: "Why would you put yourself at risk," said he. She then played some pieces for him to which he replied, "Oh, it is SO worth it! If you know you're at risk, you can treat it."

I don't know if I'd make the same response to my child, but the music sure was beautiful. Ann and Rachel played their soprano horns seamlessly and were perfectly in tune, with one musician trailing off and the other coming in as if a single instrument had played the entire phrase. They also complemented each other beautifully with intricate harmonies.

I was sitting close enough to catch the wink Ann would sometimes share with her daughter sitting in the first pew before she'd put the horn back to her lips and resume playing. It made the whole evening that much more personal.

Both horn players enjoy performing a wide spectrum of musical styles. Ann is a noted chamber music player, freelance artist, and teacher at Plattsburgh State University. Rachel is a founding member of the first post "post-feminist" feminist horn quartet, Genghis Barbie, which will be performing in Plattsburgh in March as featured guests at the Northeast Horn Workshop hosted by Ann and the SUNY Plattsburgh Music Department. She and Ann met while working on a program for horn quartet, violin, and rap artist.

This evening, we were treated to a double concerti by Johann Fasch and Johann David Heinichen, transcribed for sextet by composer Dakota Wayne specifically for this recital. Other highlights were Beethoven's moving sextet for two horns and string in Eb Major, and Fisher's Horn Pipe arranged by Mark O'Connor, which featured the Osso String Quartet.

The members of Osso describe themselves as a New York City-based String Quartet performing a self-arranged repertoire that spans the gap between contemporary classical and indie rock.The group began as members of My Brightest Diamond, playing concerts that included segments of baroque aria and Shara Worden's haunting songs.

It's strange, but our Adirondack Mountains are ever present, even during a classical concert set in a church in the valley. Most of the musicians had just arrived from New York City but Ann has lived both in New Russia and Plattsburgh and partway through the evening she boasted of having done 25 of the 46 High Peaks, some more than once.

In addition to the unique horns, eclectic music, and the interesting tidbits of information that were shared, another noteworthy fact was that the performers were all women—a fact that our Upper Jay librarian, Karen Rappaport, a bassist herself, made sure I would point out by vigorously tapping me on the shoulder at intermission. And all the performers (except the cellist) stood for the entire concert, probably a necessity of performing in the church, but a welcome performance position for those of us who actually want to see the players.

East Branch Friends of the Arts sponsors various programs throughout the year for adults and students in Keene and Keene Valley. To find out what they have coming up you may check out their Facebook page. They almost always follow an event with a reception and a chance to mingle with the audience as well as the performing artists.

--Kathleen Recchia has been enjoying the arts in the Adirondacks for about 20 years—both as observer and participant (acting, directing, and producing). She also enjoys cross-country skiing, juggling, and hosting visitors to the area at her bed & breakfast in Jay.