Meet the Musician | Eve McEwen

Meet our Associate Principal Horn, Eve McEwen

When did you know you wanted to be a professional musician? 

I have wanted to be a professional musician for as long as I can remember. I originally wanted to be a conductor, before I discovered the joys of playing in an ensemble. I used to sit in music class in primary school conducting along in recorder ensemble, despite the stares I got from my classmates!

What's your go-to exercise for maintaining a beautiful tone on the horn? 

I have a myriad of exercises I love on the horn. I particularly love flexibility exercises and will do many different types of flexi every day as part of my routine and warm-up.

What is the best part of being a horn player in an orchestra? 

There are so many things I love about being a horn player, but I particularly love the beautiful heroic melodies and solos that are often written for us in the orchestra.

When you're not immersed in music, what hobbies or activities do you enjoy in your free time?

I love reading and cooking. I also love looking after indoor plants and playing with my rescue greyhound, Evie (originally named Eve… by pure coincidence!).

If you could have a dinner party with any person you want, living or historical, who would they be and why? And what would be on the menu? 

I would love to have a dinner party with Barry Tuckwell. He was such an influential horn player – he changed the game for Australian horn playing and it would be amazing to pick his brain over a dinner. As for the menu, can’t go wrong with a dumpling night!