Michael Mesner directory profile photo

Michael Mesner

Horn

Michael Mesner has been playing Third Horn with the Tucson Symphony since 2021.

Michael’s musical career has led him to perform across the United States, as well as in Europe and Asia. Since arriving in Tucson, he has performed with many local ensembles, including True Concord Voices and Orchestra, Arizona Opera, Monsoon Brass, and the Tucson Pops Orchestra.  Michael has a great passion for chamber music, and has significant experience playing in various chamber ensembles including wind quintet, brass quintet, and horn ensembles of all shapes and sizes. Because of his belief in the importance of local musical communities, he has sought out Tucsonan composers to commission new chamber works that include horn.

Michael is an active private instructor in and around Tucson. He enjoys working with students from a wide range of ages and backgrounds, and who bring with them many unique musical goals. His students have placed in All-State Orchestra, performed solo recital programs, completed recording projects, and have gone on to attend such institutions as University of Arizona, Yale University and the University of Michigan.

Michael holds a Bachelors of Music Education from Eastern Michigan University, a Masters in Music from the University of Arizona, and is currently completing a Doctor of Musical Arts with a primary focus in Horn Performance and a minor focus in Music Theory. His past teachers have included Dr. Denise Root-Pierce, Daniel Katzen, formerly of the Boston Symphony, and Johanna Lundy.

What's your earliest musical memory?

“My earliest musical memory is of as a child sitting under my father's piano and listening to records from his collection. He would also teach me to play tunes on the piano with him. ”

Who are your musical heroes?

“Among my musical heroes are composers Jean Sibelius and Frédéric Chopin, hornist David Pyatt, guitarists Jim Hall and Ed Bickertt, saxophonist Paul Desmond, whistler Brian Finnegan, and many, many others! ”

What's your favorite thing about Tucson?

“My favorite thing about Tucson is just how charmingly weird it can be! ”