James Smelser

James Smelser is an Adjunct Lecturer in the School of Music at DePaul University, specializing in applied horn instruction. Concurrently, he serves as Second Horn for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO), a position held since 2000 after 14 years as a regular extra musician. He maintains international engagements as brass instructor for Den Nye Opera Academy in Bergen, Norway.

Education:

• BM, Northwestern University
• Hochschule der Künste (Berlin)
• MM, Northwestern University

He graduated with honors with a double major in Music and German Language & Literature, studying under renowned hornists including Dale Clevenger (CSO Principal Horn) and Berlin Philharmonic's Gerd Seifert.

Performance Career: His extensive orchestral experience spans 15+ years in Broadway productions, ballet, and media scoring. Key positions include:

• Principal Horn: Philharmonia Hungarica, Deutsche Oper am Rhein (Düsseldorf)
• Utility Horn: San Francisco Symphony
• Guest performances: Goettingen Symphonie, Dresden Staatskapelle, Israel Philharmonic, Shanghai Radio Symphony

Notably, he performed Schumann's Konzertstück as soloist with CSO at Ravinia Festival (2010).

Teaching Philosophy: Focuses on integrating professional orchestral expertise with fundamental brass techniques, emphasizing performance psychology and repertoire mastery across classical and contemporary works.