Session Proposals

Lanette López Compton is the Professor of Horn at Oklahoma State University, where she has taught since 2005. A dedicated educator and performer, Lanette is currently a member of the Tulsa Opera Orchestra and recently retired as the 4th horn of the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra. Her passion for chamber music is evident in her involvement with two professional horn quartets, Luminoso and CORtado. Lanette has performed with ensembles across Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, New Mexico, and Argentina, and at prominent events such as the International Women’s Brass Conference and multiple International Horn Symposiums.

Lanette is a two-time recipient of the Wise-Diggs-Berry Award for Teaching Excellence in the Arts (2022 and 2014) and the 2023 Friends of Music Distinguished Faculty Award. She also earned the 2023 Inspiring Excellence Award in recognition of her outstanding professional achievement and mentorship of women in music. Under her guidance, OSU Horn Studio students have earned top placements in regional and international competitions, with several graduates securing prestigious professional positions, including with the Philadelphia Orchestra.

As a sought-after clinician and adjudicator, Lanette regularly contributes to the music community. She serves on faculty at the FOOSA Festival/Fresno Summer Orchestra Academy, which culminates in a concert at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. Lanette’s unique and widely acclaimed warm-up session, “Drop the Beat”, has been a highlight at multiple horn conferences. Additionally, she has served as a judge at the International Horn Competition of America (2015, 2017, 2019, and 2022).

Beyond her performance and teaching work, Lanette is deeply committed to fostering a vibrant musical culture at OSU. Since 2007, she has served as the director of the Noon Concert Series at the OSU Library. She has also been an advisor for the OSU Hip Hop Dance Crew and OSU Dance Company, helping to promote a well-rounded arts experience for students. In recognition of her contributions to student success, OSU Athletics honored Lanette as an honorary assistant football coach for her efforts in supporting student-athletes’ academic achievement.

Student demonstration group for the warm-up/section/ensemble portion throughout

“Drop the Beat” this is about a method of warming up and practicing fundamentals that can add some variety and dare I say FUN to your day! The exercises that will be demonstrated can be replaced and rotated with anything you want to work on. The most important thing to remember is to stay focused on the three T’s- In TIME In TUNE In TONE! This method uses pop songs rather than a traditional metronome. Many young people see the metronome as a disciplinarian, but it’s harder to blame your favorite song of being the “bad guy.” Using a musical metronome like a pop song should help you play less static on scales, thirds, and other exercises. You should “feel” during all these exercises and treat all music like it matters because it does.

We will take you through part of our daily Drop the Beat session and end with how those skills take the unison and transfer into any ensemble. It has been a 20-year, ear-opening journey finding the timing, intonation, and sound tendencies of musicians when using a consistent warmup routine every day ,even through the sounds of a pop song in the mix. Our award-winning horn ensemble will help demonstrate what to do to improve any ensemble performance.

• Band - Middle School
• Band - Secondary
• Orchestra - Middle School
• Orchestra - Secondary
• Collegiate
• Mentorship/Beginning Teachers