FROM THE ALPS TO PACIFIC: THE PACIFIC ALPHORN EXPERIENCE
Sadie Glass
and
Pacific Alphorn Ensemble
Thursday, April 16, 2026
6:30 pm
Thomas J. Long Theatre
Spectra (2026)
16, 2026, 6:30 PM
Pacific Alphorn Ensemble
Annapurna (Divine Mother, provider of nourishment) (2025)
Moos-Ruef (1981) In Early Autumn A Light in the Window (2025)
Sadie Glass, alphorn
Sadie Glass (b. 1988)
Laura Nelson (b. 1972)
Hans Jürg Sommer (b. 1950) Nelson Nelson
Ciera Alkhoury, Sadie Glass, and Lily Walter, alphorns
Presentation by Sadie Glass
Connections Across Centuries: From Alphorn to Mozart and Modern Pedagogy
A few notes, drawn from the natural world, open a path across centuries; linking the voice of the alphorn to modern brass instruments in ways you may not expect.
James Naigus (b. 1987)
Special remarks
by Yvette Khan, director of development, Conservatory of Music
Lindsey Jones (b. 1990)
Jones
Traditional arr. Anton Wicky Josef Schantl (1842–1902) arr. Martin Geyer
View a digital version of this program at issuu.com/MusicatPacific
PROGRAM NOTES
This program explores the alphorn as both a musical voice and a catalyst for creativity, connecting centuries-old sound traditions to modern brass playing. In fall 2025, I was selected as one of four university faculty nationwide to join the inaugural Alphorn Project, a national initiative through Alpensong to expand awareness and teaching of the instrument in American universities. What began as a new initiative has quickly taken root at Pacific, growing into a vibrant part of student life through performance, collaboration, and travel, with students already sharing this work in Tahoe and Utah within its first year. The Pacific program has also received national recognition, described as a benchmark for the Alphorn Project on the Alphorn Association of North America podcast.
This work continues to unfold through research and exploration. I was awarded a Scholarly/Artistic Activities Grant for Swiss Alphorn Performance Traditions: Field-Based Artistic Research, while my first-year student Ciera Alkhoury received a Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship for her project, Using Century-Old Methods to Inform Modern Horn Playing and Pedagogy. Together, these projects reflect a growing recognition that historical instruments play a vital role in shaping modern musicianship. This summer, our work take us to Switzerland, where we will study, perform, and compete in the International Alphorn Festival in Nendaz.
All of the instruments you see on stage tonight are currently on loan to Pacific through the Alphorn Project. In just one year, this initiative has already informed daily pedagogy, supported student travel to conferences, created opportunities for research abroad, and deepened connections with our surrounding community. Our goal is to build on this momentum by acquiring these instruments for long-term use, establishing Pacific as a center for innovative brass pedagogy. If this work resonates with you, we invite you to consider supporting the continued growth of this program and the students it serves.
—Sadie Glass
To help support the Pacific Alphorn Project, please scan the QR code below and submit our online giving form.
ARTIST
Sadie Glass is assistant professor of horn and program director for brass and percussion at University of the Pacific. She is also a hornist and educator in the San Francisco Bay Area known for her innovative integration of alphorn, natural horn, and modern horn performance.
An ambassador for the Alphorn Project, Glass uses the alphorn as a tool for brass pedagogy and performance, leading one of the few university-based alphorn programs in the United States.
An active performer on both modern and historical instruments, Glass has appeared with leading ensembles such as Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, American Bach Soloists, Portland Baroque Orchestra, and the San Francisco Symphony.
During the summer, Glass is on faculty at the Cormont Horn Camp (formerly KBHC), where she fuses her passion for natural horn and alphorn. Outside of music, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, or doing DIY projects.
Pacific Alphorn Ensemble is an undergraduate ensemble at University of the Pacific. The group is made up of horn and bass trombone students pursuing majors in music education and music performance. Led by Professor Sadie Glass, they explore the bold and resonant sound world of the alphorn through performance, collaboration, and curiosity.
Through Pacific’s Alphorn Project, students bring this centuries-old instrument into contemporary settings and new communities. The ensemble has appeared at the Tahoe Alphorn Experience (Truckee, Calif.), community events across Northern California, and the International Horn Society’s Southwest Horn Workshop (Orem, Utah).
Ciera Alkhoury
Bronson Burfeld
Marcelo Contreras
Jas Lopez
Lily Walter
Matthew Young
Sadie Glass, director
Interested in learning more about the Alphorn?
Professor Sadie Glass, in collaboration with the Alphorn Association of North America, will host the Northern California Alphorn Workshop at University of the Pacific, August 6–9, 2026. Faculty will include Professor Glass and guests Dr. Natalie Grana (Fulbright Scholar and specialist in aural skills and alphorn) and Stasia Siena (Alexander Technique teacher).
No prior experience or instrument is required. To receive more information, please contact sglass@pacific.edu.
Every gift to the Conservatory from an alum, parent, or friend makes an impact on our students. Our students rely on your generosity to enable them to experience a superior education.
Please contact the Assistant Dean for Development at 209.932.2978 to make a gift today. You may also send a check payable to University of the Pacific: Conservatory of Music, University of the Pacific Attn: Assistant Dean for Development 3601 Pacific Avenue Stockton, CA 95211
To view our upcoming events, scan the QR code or visit Pacific.edu/MusicEvents.