Horn blowing presentation comes to library

Dan Ballard's "10,000 Years of Horn Blowing" could be called not your average music concert. Complete with skits, funny hats, and horns of all kinds, it's a full hands-on experience for children to get involved in music.

"10,000 Years of Horn Blowing" is a presentation of the use and enjoyment of horns throughout the history of time. Ballard moved to Carson Valley two years ago from Victor Valley, Calif. He lives in Gardnerville with his wife, Marian.

The "10,000 Years of Horn Blowing" project started with Ballard and a friend of his, but now Ballard runs the program alone at no cost. He has performed in Southern California, where he lived for most of his life, as well as in Carson City and Carson Valley. He performed in local theater group the Dakota Organization's variety show last winter. Although he mostly plays for elementary schools, he said that high school students also benefit from his program and often have many questions for Ballard. This time the Douglas County library will be the host of Ballard's presentation.

Ballard became interested in horns in fourth grade, while he was a Boy Scout.

"I needed a bugle," Ballard laughed.

Ballard also played in his high school jazz band, and after he finished his education he became a music teacher. He has been retired for 20 years but continues to strive to get children involved with music.

The program consists of a timeline of horn blowing, from the first animal horns used in primitive times, to trumpets and trombones used during the era of swing and jazz. Ballard performs skits for each time period.

"For each skit I wear a different hat," said Ballard. "The elementary kids love it."

Some of the horns that Ballard presents include animal horns, a natural horn (a type of French horn), a soprano trombone and numerous other brass instruments. One particular horn, the Jewish shofar, is a horn that can only be ordered and purchased by a rabbi. Ballard owns and collects all of the horns he uses in his performances.

The most memorable part of "10,000 Years of Horn Blowing" is when children become a part of the performance. Ballard has students come up and use some of the horns, showing them how to produce certain sounds, or asking them to guess how many notes a particular horn can produce.

Ballard's "10,000 Years of Horn Blowing" will be presented 10 a.m. Saturday at the Douglas County Public Library in Minden, 1625 Library Lane. For more information call 782-9841.

There is no cost and children of all ages are invited to attend.