Embedded Files
The Reynolds Alphorns Story
The Reynolds Alphorns Story
I discovered the Alphorn in June 2016. I was attending the International Horn Symposium in Ithaca, NY as an Eastman Educational Clinician. I heard Tony Brazelton and Laura Nelson playing in the courtyard and was drawn to the alphorn.
Upon returning home, I started the first annual Utah Alphorn Day with the support of Tony.
I discovered the Alphorn in June 2016. I was attending the International Horn Symposium in Ithaca, NY as an Eastman Educational Clinician. I heard Tony Brazelton and Laura Nelson playing in the courtyard and was drawn to the alphorn.
Upon returning home, I started the first annual Utah Alphorn Day with the support of Tony.
I learned that my Great-Great Grandmother, Eliza Aeschbacher, who had immigrated from Switzerland as a child, had played alphorn while growing up in Eggewil, Bern. I spent the next several years researching family history documents to find the exact location of their family home, hoping to someday play on the same green grass where she did.
I learned that my Great-Great Grandmother, Eliza Aeschbacher, who had immigrated from Switzerland as a child, had played alphorn while growing up in Eggewil, Bern. I spent the next several years researching family history documents to find the exact location of their family home, hoping to someday play on the same green grass where she did.
In 2024, as the Artist in Residence for AlpenSong, I had the opportunity to travel to Switzerland with members of the Wasatch Alphorns, guided by Benno Weber to perform in the competition at the International Alphorn Festival. Having still not located the exact property location, we found ourselves in Eggewil at the workshop of Walter Bachmann. I showed him my FamilySearch fan chart, and my connection to Eggewil. After seeing the Aeschbacher name, Walter immediately pulled out his Google Maps on his phone and showed us Lyman Road - the Aeschbacher family property, less than 2 km away.
In 2024, as the Artist in Residence for AlpenSong, I had the opportunity to travel to Switzerland with members of the Wasatch Alphorns, guided by Benno Weber to perform in the competition at the International Alphorn Festival. Having still not located the exact property location, we found ourselves in Eggewil at the workshop of Walter Bachmann. I showed him my FamilySearch fan chart, and my connection to Eggewil. After seeing the Aeschbacher name, Walter immediately pulled out his Google Maps on his phone and showed us Lyman Road - the Aeschbacher family property, less than 2 km away.
Already on a tight schedule, we stopped at Lyman Road. As the group waited in the van, Benno and I walked up the dirt path to check out the property a bit to see how well it matched the description we'd been reading about. What we found instead was a gentleman just getting out of his car in the driveway. Benno explained that I was looking for the property of the Aeschbacher family who had immigrated to the States in 1876. That gentleman was Hans Aeschbacher. He was delighted to show us around the property and tell us about the history of the buildings.
Already on a tight schedule, we stopped at Lyman Road. As the group waited in the van, Benno and I walked up the dirt path to check out the property a bit to see how well it matched the description we'd been reading about. What we found instead was a gentleman just getting out of his car in the driveway. Benno explained that I was looking for the property of the Aeschbacher family who had immigrated to the States in 1876. That gentleman was Hans Aeschbacher. He was delighted to show us around the property and tell us about the history of the buildings.
The moment etched in my soul was when I explained that I was there to perform in the International Festival, his eyes widened and he asked, "You play the alphorn? I'm an alphorn teacher!" OF COURSE HE IS. :) We're family.
After showing me his instrument collection (we're *so* related...) and introducing me to his wife on their 60th anniversary, we played duets. Right there on the same property where little Liza Aeschbacher played and sang as a little girl. It was a dream come true. Me on my Zahner and he on his Bachmann, of course. The body ring design on my Reynolds Alphorn is in honor of the Bachmann design, and represents the connection of generations of alphornists in my family history and our global alphorn community.
The moment etched in my soul was when I explained that I was there to perform in the International Festival, his eyes widened and he asked, "You play the alphorn? I'm an alphorn teacher!" OF COURSE HE IS. :) We're family.
After showing me his instrument collection (we're *so* related...) and introducing me to his wife on their 60th anniversary, we played duets. Right there on the same property where little Liza Aeschbacher played and sang as a little girl. It was a dream come true. Me on my Zahner and he on his Bachmann, of course. The body ring design on my Reynolds Alphorn is in honor of the Bachmann design, and represents the connection of generations of alphornists in my family history and our global alphorn community.
I have loved the opportunity to work with Michael Sanders, the product engineer helping me design my Reynolds Alphorn. He views each challenge as an exciting puzzle to be solved. It's magical watching his brain work.
Paul Farnsworth helped me learn the basics of making mouthpieces, and I've benefited from the artistic advice and examples of Brandi Jones and Stephanie McCullough.
I have loved the opportunity to work with Michael Sanders, the product engineer helping me design my Reynolds Alphorn. He views each challenge as an exciting puzzle to be solved. It's magical watching his brain work.
Paul Farnsworth helped me learn the basics of making mouthpieces, and I've benefited from the artistic advice and examples of Brandi Jones and Stephanie McCullough.
My trombone-playing husband Matt mostly puts up with my alphorn-ing (he calls it my Horn Cos-play),
My trombone-playing husband Matt mostly puts up with my alphorn-ing (he calls it my Horn Cos-play),
but once in a while, I still get him to play along. ;)
but once in a while, I still get him to play along. ;)
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse