The Black Horn

The Story of Classical French Hornist Robert Lee Watt

Robert Lee Watt

The Black Horn: The Story of Classical French Hornist Robert Lee Watt tells the story of the first African American French Hornist hired by a major symphony in the United States. Today, few African Americans hold chairs in major American symphony orchestras, and Watt is the first in many years to write about this uniquely exhilarating—and at times painful—experience.

The Black Horn chronicles the upbringing of a young boy fascinated by the sound of the French horn. Watt walks readers through the many obstacles of the racial climate in the United States, both on and off stage, and his efforts to learn and eventually master an instrument little considered in the African American community. Even the author’s own father, who played trumpet, sought to dissuade the young classical musician in the making. He faced opposition from within the community—where the instrument was deemed by Watt’s father a “middle instrument suited only for thin-lipped white boys”—and from without. Watt also documented his struggles as a student at a nearly all-white major music conservatory, as well as his first job in a major symphony orchestra after the conservatory canceled his scholarship.

Watt subsequently chronicles his triumphs and travails as a musician when confronting the realities of race in America and the world of classical music. This book will surely interest any classical musician and student, particularly those of color, seeking to grasp the sometimes troubled history of being the only “black horn.”

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 300 • Trim: 6¼ x 9¼

978-1-4422-3938-8 • Hardback • October 2014 • $116.00 • (£89.00)

978-1-4422-6871-5 • Paperback • February 2016 • $53.00 • (£41.00)

978-1-4422-3939-5 • eBook • October 2014 • $50.00 • (£38.00)

Series: African American Cultural Theory and Heritage

Subjects: Biography & Autobiography / Entertainment & Performing Arts, Music / Genres & Styles / Classical, Music / Individual Composer & Musician, Music / Musical Instruments / Brass

The Black Horn

The Story of Classical French Hornist Robert Lee Watt

Hardback

Paperback

eBook

Summary

The Black Horn: The Story of Classical French Hornist Robert Lee Watt tells the story of the first African American French Hornist hired by a major symphony in the United States. Today, few African Americans hold chairs in major American symphony orchestras, and Watt is the first in many years to write about this uniquely exhilarating—and at times painful—experience.

The Black Horn chronicles the upbringing of a young boy fascinated by the sound of the French horn. Watt walks readers through the many obstacles of the racial climate in the United States, both on and off stage, and his efforts to learn and eventually master an instrument little considered in the African American community. Even the author’s own father, who played trumpet, sought to dissuade the young classical musician in the making. He faced opposition from within the community—where the instrument was deemed by Watt’s father a “middle instrument suited only for thin-lipped white boys”—and from without. Watt also documented his struggles as a student at a nearly all-white major music conservatory, as well as his first job in a major symphony orchestra after the conservatory canceled his scholarship.

Watt subsequently chronicles his triumphs and travails as a musician when confronting the realities of race in America and the world of classical music. This book will surely interest any classical musician and student, particularly those of color, seeking to grasp the sometimes troubled history of being the only “black horn.”

Details

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 300 • Trim: 6¼ x 9¼

978-1-4422-3938-8 • Hardback • October 2014 • $116.00 • (£89.00)

978-1-4422-6871-5 • Paperback • February 2016 • $53.00 • (£41.00)

978-1-4422-3939-5 • eBook • October 2014 • $50.00 • (£38.00)

Series: African American Cultural Theory and Heritage

Subjects: Biography & Autobiography / Entertainment & Performing Arts, Music / Genres & Styles / Classical, Music / Individual Composer & Musician, Music / Musical Instruments / Brass

Author

Robert Lee Watt studied French horn at the New England Conservatory of Music with Harry Shapiro of the Boston Symphony. In 1970, he was hired by the Los Angeles Philharmonic as assistant first French horn under maestro Zubin Mehta.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Prelude
Chapter 2: Early Memories
Chapter 3: Back to Asbury Park
Chapter 4: Left Back
Chapter 5: First Love
Chapter 6: Music Chose Me
Chapter 7: Adolescent Secrets
Chapter 8: A Random Blessing
Chapter 9: First Date
Chapter 10: Pleasure and Pain
Chapter 11: Lessons in Life
Chapter 12: My Great Escape
Chapter 13: First Sweet Victory
Chapter 14: Tension
Chapter 15: Welcome to the World
Chapter 16: Music Camp/Boston Pops
Chapter 17: Best Summer
Chapter 18: Turning Pro
Chapter 19: Loving a Colored Girl
Chapter 20: Greeting Manhood
Chapter 21: In Love / Tanglewood
Chapter 22: The Musical Mountain
Chapter 23: First Audition
Chapter 24: Madness!
Chapter 25: The Los Angeles Philharmonic
Chapter 26: The Dream
Chapter 27: Black Los Angeles
Chapter 28: Deeper Into the Dream
Chapter 29: Emotions Miscellaneous
Chapter 30: To Viet Nam?
Chapter 31: On with Life
Chapter 32: Fear of Flying
Chapter 33: Japan
Chapter 34: The New Black Player / The Ark
Chapter 35: Leave the LA Philharmonic?
Chapter 36: What we fear the most
Chapter 37: Conversations with Jerome Ashby
Chapter 38: Challenged by a Peer
Chapter 39: Give it up
Chapter 40: My Sandbox Buddy
Chapter 41: Where had he been all my life?
Chapter 42: Who was he really?
Chapter 43: Tales from the Symphony
Chapter 44: Final Revelations
Chapter 45: The New Brass Ensemble / Madame
Chapter 46: More European Adventures
Chapter 47: A Black Brass Quintet in Finland ?
Chapter 48: Enchanting Encounters
Chapter 49: What I live for
Chapter 50: “It’s Good to be Negro!”
Chapter 51: Missing Miles
Chapter 52: Salzburg Festival
Chapter 53: Finale
Appendix: List of Negro Musicians at the New York Philharmonic, April 1969

Reviews

Black Horn takes on the life of Watt with raw honesty, humor, and diversity. Watt describes every situation with precise detail. Nothing is left to the imagination. Through intimate encounters, the feeling of being disrespected by peers, and a lack of support throughout his early years as a musician, Watt evokes the emotions behind what it's like for him to be a successful African-American classical musician.
— International Musician

Certainly there is wisdom to be imparted by a musician of Watt’s experience. One has to admire his perseverance and tenacity in remaining with what was obviously a contentious section for so many years.
— Fanfare Magazine

Robert Lee Watt didn’t allow racial stereotypes and the low expectations of others to hold him back. From the beginning, the classical musician used that negativity as his fuel to excel… The Black Horn is candid and often humorous. Watt’s stories of transcending racial and class discrimination are especially edifying.
— Los Angeles Review of Books

The Black Horn

The Story of Classical French Hornist Robert Lee Watt

Robert Lee Watt

The Black Horn

The Story of Classical French Hornist Robert Lee Watt

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