Guest recital: James Rester, horn

Description

James Rester is a highly sought musician on the east coast of the United States. He performed as third horn with the Baltimore Symphony for the 2013-2014 season and frequently substitutes in the Philadelphia Orchestra. He is principal horn in Reading Symphony Orchestra and Annapolis Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Rester also holds third horn positions with Lancaster Symphony Orchestra and Delaware Symphony Orchestra. The Capital Gazette has described Mr. Rester's playing as "magnificent" and possessing "clear, beautiful phrasing" for his work in Annapolis and the Reading Eagle recently lauded his "fine horn solos" in a performance of Brahms’ Second Symphony. Previously, Mr. Rester was a member of the Army Field Band. While performing as principal horn with the Concert Band, he received the Army Achievement Medal for “outstanding performance” and the Army Good Conduct Medal. During his enlistment, he performed and taught nationally with Field Band’s many chamber ensembles including brass and woodwind quintets and a horn quartet. Mr. Rester has developed a fierce reputation by winning six professional auditions and placing as semi-finalist in auditions with Philadelphia Orchestra, Boston, Milwaukee, and Richmond Symphonies among others. He can be heard on Philadelphia Orchestra’s recent recording of Mahler’s 2nd Symphony and playing Principal Horn on Delaware Symphony’s 2009 Grammy nominated album entitled “Interchange” recorded with the L.A. Guitar Quartet. A list of orchestras in which he has performed includes Philadelphia Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony, The Philly Pops, Alabama Symphony, Richmond Symphony, National Philharmonic Orchestra, and a host of regional orchestras.