Mary Beth Orr

Mary Beth Orr is a passionate classical hornist and folk vocal artist intent on bringing connection through music, most recently a finalist for The American Prize in instrumental performance 2023. The chosen medium of her classical horn and solo voice combine with the rich and soulful traditional melodies of her Appalachian heritage, creating a poignant musical journey of the human spirit. Currently 3rd Horn of the Grand Rapids Symphony, she has also performed frequently with the Detroit Symphony, Charleston Symphony, and Breckenridge Music Festival, of which she is 2nd Horn. 

She has been a guest artist at the Interlochen Horn Institute, and faculty with the Charleston Horn Institute. She made her premier at the Spoleto Music Festival as a featured recital soloist with her mixed ensemble Femme Forte in 2017. After winning 2nd prize in the professional division at the International Horn Competition of America in 2013, she started exploring artistic opportunities as a soloist, placing 2nd in the Horn Division of the 2014 International Women’s Brass Conference Solo Competition. 

Upon returning to the IWBC in 2019 she was awarded 1st prize in the Professional Division for Horn. Most recently she premiered as guest soloist with the Grand Rapids Symphony on her own arrangement of Stand up For Me for voice, piano, horn, and string orchestra at the 2021 Frederik Meijer Gardens Summer Concert Series. Between 2020 and 2022 she was a multi prize winner of the Sound Espressivo International Music Competition, and 1st prize winner of the Golden Classical International Music Awards, American Protégé International Talent Competition, and the Charleston International Solo Competition 2021, where she was also voted most outstanding performance. As also a first prize winner of the Grand Prize Virtuoso Competition, she made her European premier at the Beethoven Haus in Bonn, Germany, August 2021. 

In May 2022 she premiered as a soloist at Carnegie Hall. As featured performer for Vox Novus’ Fifteen Minutes of Fame Project, she traveled to New York City to perform and record 15 one-minute works commissioned specifically for her for this project, showcasing and fostering support for new music. Upcoming projects include another collaboration with Vox Novus’ Fifteen Minutes of Fame Project, PARMA Recordings, The International Women’s Brass Conference, and The International Horn Symposium 2025.