ELLISVILLE — Jones County Junior College freshman music major and French horn player Josh Landrum of Meridian performed with the Honors Horn Choir at the recent Southeast Horn Workshop in Columbus, Ga.

The horn choir, which is comprised of top students from universities throughout the Southeast, also competed in the college solo competition. Landrum, a graduate of Southeast Lauderdale County High School, was the only student selected to participate from a junior college.

“This is an invaluable learning experience,” said Landrum, adding that “to perform for regional artists … and learn from great musicians” is a rare opportunity.

The Southeast Horn Workshop is the longest running regional chapter workshop of the International Horn Society and is held annually at host universities throughout the Southeast. While at the workshop, students have the opportunity to attend master classes with world renowned artists, attend concerts of the invited artists as well as regional artists, work with university professors, and attend lectures on several aspects of the horn.

Featured artists for this year’s workshop were Randy Gardner, professor of horn at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music as well as former second horn of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and Eric Ruske, international soloist and faculty member of Boston University.

“(The workshop offered) opportunities to meet graduate school teachers which may influence where I transfer after Jones,” said Landrum.

JCJC Horn Instructor Dr. Carrie D. Strickland also attended the workshop – judging competitions, performing in a regional artist’s recital as well as performing with the Artist’s Ensemble.

“I don’t know of any other junior/community college offering a horn ensemble or specialized instructor,” said Strickland.

“I’ve been at Jones for three years and involved with the workshop for several years, so this opportunity to have a student be a part of the Southeast Horn Workshop is an honor for me, too.”