Tribune Chronicle photo / Guy Vogrin French horn player Samantha Nicholson, seated, of Niles, who is a sophomore in the YSU Dana School of Music, receives musical instruction from Gunnery Sgt. Greta Richard of the U.S. Marine Corps Band during Sunday’s Horn Workshop held in the Bliss Recital Hall at Youngstown State University.

YOUNGSTOWN — Three Trumbull County students enrolled in the Youngstown State University Dana School of Music displayed their talent during the sixth annual Horn Workshop held Sunday on campus at Bliss Hall.

French horn players Alisha Moore, a graduate of LaBrae High School; Noah Cline, a graduate of Warren G. Harding; and Samantha Nicholson, graduate of Niles McKinley, received musical instruction during a session with special guests Greta Richard and Cecilia Buettgen of the U.S. Marine Corps Band.

Moore, a senior who has attended all six of the workshops, said she plans on heading to Louisiana to continue her music career. She said she plans to continue her education while playing and teaching music.

“This has been an awesome experience,” Moore said about the instruction she received from the two musicians from the “President’s Own” band that is based in Washington, D.C.

Richard, who has the rank of gunnery sergeant, began playing the French horn at age 11. She has been with the Marine band since June 2000 and said she sometimes still struggles with consistency in her playing.

“I struggle with what I want inside (my head) to translate as coming out outside of here (the horn),” she told Moore during her session.

Buettgen, who is a staff sergeant hailing from Michigan, told Cline to maintain his intensity.

“Don’t ever let the music get stagnant,” said Buettgen. She has been with the Marine band since 2013.

Cline, a sophomore, said he appreciated the “really positive feedback” coming from musical experts. He said after graduation, he wants to teach music at an inner-city school district, being inspired by his experiences at Harding.

Nicholson, another sophomore, said the lesson was “incredible.”

“I felt really comfortable in this situation,” Nicholson said about playing before a half-filled recital hall.

The students’ instructor is Dr. Stacie Mickens, associated professor at the YSU Dana School of Music, who said she started the winter event six years ago.

“I wanted to make this a celebration of horns,” said Mickens, who also coaches brass chamber ensembles and performs with the Dana Brass and Dana Woodwind Quintets.

The three artists began the day with a hourlong recital.

The program also included handfuls of middle school and high school horn players asking questions and getting tips from the experts. Richard had some advice to further their careers.

“Keep practicing at least 10 minutes each day,” Richard said. “And — this probably will make your mom and dad mad — but you can play in front of the television. I learned to play watching ‘The Price is Right.'”

gvogrin@tribtoday.com