French horn players can sing too! Every month this year, I am sitting down with a Marine from the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band to talk to them about their music. We will be chatting about what inspired them to pursue a military music career and perform a song.
This month’s Marine is Gage Behnkendorf, who approached me at the start of the year with a piece I would have never considered covering. It’s called “City of Stars.” It is from the movie-musical “La La Land,” composed by Justin Hurwitz and directed by Damien Chazelle.
Having never pursued the leading ingénue role, I thought this song would be a great way to flex our musical talents and do something different. Gage typically plays French horn in the band, and I had no idea he could play piano, let alone sing.
Gage’s professional music career began with his current job as a musician for the United States Marine Corps. He enlisted at 18-years-old. Before that, he started with trumpet at age 11, took up piano at 14, and switched his primary instrument to French horn at 15.
During high school, he had some pretty great opportunities. This includes performing with the Iowa All-State Band. He also toured seven different countries in Europe with the Iowa Ambassadors of Music. “Joining the Marine Corps to serve as a musician stands out as my greatest accomplishment as a performer during high school.”
When we spoke about singing, Gage said he didn’t think he’d done enough with singing to be able to list it as one of his hobbies. “I’ve always loved singing in the shower and in the car like lots of people do,” Gage said. Still, he could count on one hand the number of times he’s actually performed or recorded vocals like we did for this cover. This is why I was so interested in jamming with him and figuring out his vocal tone.
Five vocal recording takeaways from a french horn player
Recording vocals is more a mind game than anything. I asked Gage what his takeaways were from this project, and he gave the following:
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When you’re singing low, think high.
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Microphones are brutally honest (He already knew that, but shout out to his Blue Yeti mic for the reminder)
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There is a lot of nuance in manipulating how your voice sounds.
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Merely understanding how to keep the unpleasant sounds of your mouth from happening requires mastery.
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The first note of a phrase is the most challenging and intimidating part of singing, similar to playing a wind instrument.
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Whenever you reach down for those low notes you think are at the bottom of your register, make sure to think high. My favorite visual is to think of the note on a plate high in the air soaring over the whole room.
Being a solo singer is so exposing and vulnerable. There is a device you must use to be heard, and there is no hiding behind anything. Not even the most reverb or other vocal effects in the world can mask a vocalist who lacks confidence or practice.
Mastering your microphone techniques will set you up for success. Practice with a microphone. Get in the habit of not popping your P’s, B’s and hissing your S’s.
As you can imagine, enlisting in the military is no less than courageous. Gage fits the mold of a Marine musician without ever losing sight of his own voice and character. The Marine Corps music program has so many beautiful opportunities benefits.
One benefit is the GI Bill, which helps a prior service member pay for college, graduate school, and training programs. Since 1944, the GI Bill has helped qualifying Veterans and their family get money to cover school or training costs. Gage joined explicitly for the GI Bill so he could eventually afford to study music at a university.
After the Marine Corps, Gage will study music composition and film scoring at a university. Then attempt to establish himself as a film composer after he graduates. There is no doubt he will have the drive and what it takes to accomplish his goals.
Thank you, Gage, for sitting down with me and suggesting this song that just won’t get out of my head!
Editor’s Note: To hear their performance, visit
https://sempervocalis.com/5-vocal-recording-takeaways-from-a-french-horn-player/?fbclid=IwAR3_8ttJ-RXYSh_cbr0gWE5q9Bj5ARvwiEsX8Xmjd-AOF-usfHZ0DreOueY
