Dennis Houghton holds a degree in Horn Performance from California
State University at Long Beach, where he was privileged to work with Fred
Fox, James Decker and Dr. Caswell Neal. He pursued post-graduate work at
the Northwest German Music Academy with Prof. Michael Hoeltzel and at UNT
with Dr. William Scharnberg. His professional playing experience includes
Principal Horn in Cali, Colombia; State Opera Theater of Detmold, Germany,
and various freelance work in California and Texas. Mr. Houghton is
presently Principal Horn with the Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra. His
private horn students have been accepted at notable music schools.
As a craftsman, Mr. Houghton seeks to combine the best qualities of
traditional methods with the advantages of new technologies. His technical
background in brass includes thousands of repairs for North Texas school
programs over a 20-year period. Dennis’ company, Houghton Custom Horns,
has specialized in repairs and modifications for serious players in the
Dallas-Ft. Worth area. Frequent customers include musicians from all the
major orchestras in Texas, but his outstanding service and reputation have
yielded clients from across the United States and abroad. In constant
pursuit of acoustical advancements, Mr. Houghton has provided many
university, conservatory and professional players with resonance
enhancements, mouthpipe upgrades and creative customizations. Mr. Houghton
also remains active in the restoration of numerous historic brass
instruments.
