18 July 2025
Deep Dive with Emma John
AYO Media and Communication fellow Milly McAuliffe on AYO Principal Horn Emma John’s musical and marine passions
A radiant horn player, sensitive musician, and, in a parallel universe, a marine scientist, Emma John’s determination and quiet confidence is striking. At this year’s National Music Camp in Adelaide I asked Emma if she thinks there’s a common quality that all horn players share, and she said that while horn players are all diverse and unique, she thinks that most do have a bit of spunk. With her halo of curls, sense of self, and strong aura of determination, Emma certainly fits her description.
Emma was introduced to the horn by her horn-playing mother and brother, as well as the horn CDs that were on a regular rotation in her home. She was enamoured by the sound. Emma began playing the horn through her school Year 5 band program. Her favourite memory from these group lessons is playing Tequila with choreographed dance moves. Listening to her friends play on other instruments had led Emma to think she wasn’t particularly good at music; little did she know that horn has a notoriously steep learning curve and sounds embarrassingly hilarious when played by beginners.
Emma said when she found out horn was one of the harder instruments to start on, she felt reassured and even a little impressed with what she had managed in a short time.
I can imagine Year 5 Emma would be dumbfounded hearing present day Emma play. Her sound is rich and resonant, and you can’t help but smile when she starts to play.
As well as being a commanding soloist, Emma adores orchestral playing and is a regular with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, Perth Symphony Orchestra, and Orchestra Victoria.
Emma says one of her favourite orchestral playing moments is when the whole horn section enters together in a forte section – she finds the feeling of power and comradery exhilarating.
The horn ‘community’
Horns are notorious for flocking together, whether for group routine sessions, rehearsal break coffee runs, or post-performance pick-me-ups. At the AYO National Music Camp (NMC) in January, Emma, NCM horn tutor Peter Luff and the AYO horns could be found standing in a circle at 8:15am each day, warming up with scales, flexibilities, and rounds. There was a horn table at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and it wasn’t uncommon to hear a good number practising together in the dorm rooms, crammed into a space meant for one person and no horn playing.
Emma says she loves the community that comes with horn playing. She likes that if she’s feeling lethargic and wants to hype herself up for practise, she can shoot off a text to another horn asking if they can do their routine together.
Emma extends this collaborative approach beyond just horn players, often talking shop with her close friend Phoebe Tait, a Perth born Melbourne based soprano. Emma and Phoebe started collaborating during their undergraduate study at the University of Western Australia and while taking part in the St Georges College a capella group ‘The Mockingbirds’. They share another surprising connection: Phoebe’s mother Wendy Tait is a prolific horn player and was Emma’s teacher in high school. Emma and Phoebe often discuss musicianship and breathwork together. Many horn pedagogues reference singing as the best approach to horn playing, with the foundation of both instruments being the breath.
Both Phoebe and Emma have now moved to Melbourne, Emma in 2024 to study at ANAM and Phoebe in 2025 to study at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. I asked Emma if there’s anything she really misses from Perth, and she responded, “the beaches!” She acknowledged Victoria has beautiful beaches too, but with her busy schedule in Melbourne there isn’t much opportunity to get to the choice spots.
While in Perth, if Emma’s not practising or performing, she’s probably swimming in the ocean. Before deciding to become a musician, Emma had considered a career as a marine biologist. She still loves snorkelling and keeps up to date with the latest marine science news and discoveries.
Right now, Emma is on tour in Europe with AYO as Principal Horn. The orchestra has just finished just over a week of rehearsals and begins their series of concerts on Friday 18 July, with performances in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and a home coming concert on Thursday 31 July at the Sydney Opera House. There are still tickets on sale if you would like to come listen to Emma and Australian Youth Orchestra play the music that took them all the way to Europe. If you can’t make it, keep an eye out for Emma – I’m sure you will see her soon on a stage near you.
Glossary
NMC – National Music Camp
Routine – A selection of daily technical exercises. There are many exercises to choose from. Routines can last anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 hours long, with breaks.
Flexibilities – exercises using notes from the harmonic series, i.e. exercises that are played without changing fingerings, using only your air and embouchure to change notes.
Forte – loud
Milly McAuliffe is an AYO 2025 Media and Communication Fellow.