Your First Lesson Is On Us. FREE 30 Minute Lesson - No Credit Card Required
Lesson With You - Live, Online Music Lessons

French Horn Lessons in Pennsylvania

What French horn lessons cost across Pennsylvania, and how to find the right teacher.

Marc Levesque - About Us - Lesson With You
Marc Levesque updated 11/13/26 - 19 min read

French horn lesson prices across Pennsylvania

A one-hour French horn lesson in Pennsylvania typically costs $59 to $92, and a half hour $32 to $50. Prices change noticeably from town to town. The Philadelphia area runs highest, up to $111 an hour.

Every town has two guides: a French horn lessons guide, with local schools, events and places to play, and a costs guide, with that town's prices in detail.

Town30 minutesOne hourGuides
Philadelphia area
Philadelphia$37–$61$70–$111LessonsCosts
Levittown$36–$59$67–$107LessonsCosts
Norristown$37–$60$69–$110LessonsCosts
Chester$36–$59$68–$108LessonsCosts
Drexel Hill$37–$60$69–$110LessonsCosts
King of Prussia$36–$58$67–$106LessonsCosts
Pottstown$36–$59$68–$108LessonsCosts
West Chester$36–$58$66–$106LessonsCosts
Phoenixville$36–$59$68–$108LessonsCosts
Lansdale$36–$59$68–$108LessonsCosts
Willow Grove$36–$59$68–$108LessonsCosts
Ardmore$37–$60$69–$109LessonsCosts
Montgomeryville$36–$58$66–$106LessonsCosts
Coatesville$35–$57$65–$104LessonsCosts
Yeadon$37–$60$68–$109LessonsCosts
Lansdowne$37–$60$69–$110LessonsCosts
Darby$37–$61$70–$111LessonsCosts
Broomall$36–$58$67–$106LessonsCosts
Roslyn$37–$60$69–$109LessonsCosts
Pittsburgh area
Pittsburgh$32–$48$59–$88LessonsCosts
Bethel Park$32–$47$58–$86LessonsCosts
Monroeville$32–$45$58–$83LessonsCosts
Plum$32–$45$58–$82LessonsCosts
Allison Park$32–$46$58–$84LessonsCosts
New Castle$32–$47$58–$86LessonsCosts
Baldwin$32–$47$59–$87LessonsCosts
Murrysville$32–$45$58–$83LessonsCosts
West Mifflin$32–$45$58–$83LessonsCosts
McKeesport$32–$47$58–$85LessonsCosts
Franklin Park$32–$45$58–$82LessonsCosts
Greensburg$32–$48$59–$88LessonsCosts
Wilkinsburg$32–$48$59–$88LessonsCosts
Carnot-Moon$32–$46$58–$83LessonsCosts
Washington$32–$47$58–$86LessonsCosts
Butler$32–$47$58–$86LessonsCosts
Jefferson Hills$31–$44$58–$81LessonsCosts
New Kensington$32–$47$58–$86LessonsCosts
Lower Burrell$32–$46$58–$84LessonsCosts
Munhall$32–$48$59–$87LessonsCosts
Allentown area
Allentown$35–$57$66–$105LessonsCosts
Bethlehem$34–$56$64–$102LessonsCosts
Easton$35–$57$65–$104LessonsCosts
Fullerton$35–$56$65–$103LessonsCosts
Emmaus$35–$56$65–$103LessonsCosts
Northampton$34–$56$64–$103LessonsCosts
Harrisburg area
Harrisburg$33–$54$62–$98LessonsCosts
Carlisle$33–$54$62–$98LessonsCosts
Colonial Park$33–$53$61–$96LessonsCosts
Hershey$32–$50$59–$92LessonsCosts
Progress$33–$53$61–$96LessonsCosts
Scranton area
Scranton$32–$48$59–$88LessonsCosts
Wilkes-Barre$32–$47$59–$87LessonsCosts
Hazleton$32–$49$59–$89LessonsCosts
Dunmore$32–$47$58–$85LessonsCosts
Kingston$32–$48$59–$87LessonsCosts
Mountain Top$32–$45$58–$83LessonsCosts
Nanticoke$32–$47$58–$86LessonsCosts
Lancaster area
Lancaster$33–$54$62–$98LessonsCosts
Ephrata$33–$52$60–$95LessonsCosts
Elizabethtown$33–$53$61–$97LessonsCosts
Reading area
Reading$33–$52$60–$95LessonsCosts
Wyomissing$32–$48$59–$88LessonsCosts
York area
York$33–$52$60–$94LessonsCosts
Hanover$32–$50$59–$92LessonsCosts
Weigelstown$32–$50$59–$91LessonsCosts
Shiloh$32–$50$59–$91LessonsCosts
Chambersburg area
Chambersburg$32–$50$59–$91LessonsCosts
Waynesboro$32–$50$59–$91LessonsCosts
Hermitage area
Hermitage$32–$47$58–$85LessonsCosts
Sharon$32–$50$59–$91LessonsCosts
Other Pennsylvania towns
Altoona$31–$43$57–$79LessonsCosts
Bloomsburg$33–$51$60–$93LessonsCosts
Erie$32–$45$58–$82LessonsCosts
Indiana$33–$52$60–$95LessonsCosts
Johnstown$31–$43$57–$79LessonsCosts
Lebanon$32–$48$59–$88LessonsCosts
Meadville$32–$51$60–$93LessonsCosts
Pottsville$33–$51$60–$94LessonsCosts
St. Marys$32–$50$59–$92LessonsCosts
State College$33–$51$60–$93LessonsCosts
Williamsport$32–$47$59–$87LessonsCosts

Find Your Next French Horn Teacher in Pennsylvania

Browse french horn teachers, compare availability, and start with a free trial before choosing weekly lessons in Pennsylvania.

1 french horn instructor available in the next 5 days
Gray Smiley

Gray Smiley

Doctorate in French HornPatient & ThoroughEar Training CoachPopular
Levels: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced Ages: Kids, Teens, Adults
✅ Background Checked💬 Speaks: English🏆 Experience: 5 yrs of teaching💻 Lesson Format: Online in Pennsylvania via Zoom
Available:SMTWTFSMorningAfternoonEvening
$0 $35 / 30 minute trial
Book Free Trial with Gray

How French horn learning works in Pennsylvania

How does French horn fit school music in Pennsylvania?

French horn usually enters school music through band, but the starting grade depends on the district. Band begins in fourth grade in Philadelphia at Vare-Washington Elementary, Bethel Park, Upper Darby, Easton, Williamsport, Plum Borough, West Chester, Phoenixville, Central Dauphin, Dover, Derry Township, Ephrata, and Carlisle; Reading’s middle school band includes sixth graders, and Baldwin-Whitehall offers band in sixth grade. In Bethlehem, students can join marching band beginning in middle school. Pennsylvania sets arts standards, but each school board sets graduation requirements, so ask your district when beginners can join and what instruments are available.

When school music starts in Pennsylvania districts

The School District of PhiladelphiaBand4th grade
Reading School DistrictMiddle school band6th grade
School District of the City of YorkBandGrades 4–8
Bethlehem Area School DistrictMarching bandMiddle school
Bethel Park School DistrictBand4th grade
Upper Darby School DistrictBand4th grade
Easton Area School DistrictBandGrades 4–5
Williamsport Area School DistrictBand4th grade
Plum Borough School DistrictBand4th grade
Hampton Township School DistrictBandGrades 4–5
Carlisle Area School DistrictBandGrades 4–5
Baldwin-Whitehall School DistrictBand6th grade
West Chester Area School DistrictBand4th grade
Phoenixville Area School DistrictBand4th grade
Central Dauphin School DistrictBandGrades 4–5
Dover Area School DistrictBand4th grade
Derry Township School DistrictBandGrades 4–5
Dunmore School DistrictHigh school bandGrades 9–12
Ephrata Area School DistrictBeginner bandRising 4th and 5th graders
Washington School DistrictJunior high concert bandGrades 7–8

Who runs what for Pennsylvania horn players?

Pennsylvania’s student music route is shaped by the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA), while the Pennsylvania Music Teachers Association (PMTA) offers a separate performance-festival and competition route. PMEA’s district and regional band and orchestra auditions lead eligible high-school students toward state ensembles; PMTA’s Dorothy Sutton Performance Festival gives students another performance setting, and its Keystone Concerto Festival is entered through a teacher who meets membership requirements. These routes serve different aims, so your choice depends on whether you or your child wants ensemble honors, a solo performance, or both.

Who runs what in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA)

Runs
Runs district, regional, and state student ensemble festivals and auditions.
For
School music students; eligibility and grades vary by ensemble.

Pennsylvania Music Teachers Association (PMTA)

Runs
Runs the Dorothy Sutton Performance Festival and Keystone Concerto Festival.
For
Students entered by eligible PMTA member teachers.

Music Teachers National Association (MTNA)

Runs
Runs Brass competitions, including horn, with state and division rounds.
For
Senior ages 15–18 and Young Artist ages 19–29.

Auditions and events in Pennsylvania

How does a horn player reach Pennsylvania's top student honors?

For a school-based honor route, PMEA District 7 band auditions begin in grades 7–12; brass players can audition for District Orchestra in grades 10–12, and the eligible high-school route continues through Region and All-State ensembles. The PMEA All-State Ensembles audition windows run from November through February, with the event in April. A separate competition path is available through the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Brass competition, which includes horn: Pennsylvania’s state competition registration is due December 2, 2026, and state winners or representatives advance to Eastern Division. Its Senior category serves ages 15–18 and Young Artist ages 19–29, measured on January 1, 2027.

The French horn route in Pennsylvania, step by step

  1. PMEA District bandGrades 7–12; auditions lead into the district honor route.
  2. PMEA District OrchestraBrass players in grades 10–12 may audition for the district orchestra.
  3. Region and All-StateEligibility is limited to grades 10–12; All-State audition windows run November through February, with ensembles in April.
  4. MTNA Brass competitionPennsylvania registration is due December 2, 2026; state winners and representatives advance to Eastern Division.

The Pennsylvania French horn year

AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJul

Pennsylvania State MTNA Performance CompetitionsPennsylvania Music Teachers AssociationStart the piece May to Aug

Start the piece May to AugNov 8

PMEA District 7 Band, Chorus, Orchestra, Jazz, and Modern Band FestivalsPMEA District 7Start the piece Jul to Oct

Start the piece Jul to OctJan to Apr

PMEA Region V Band FestivalPennsylvania Music Educators AssociationStart the piece Aug to Nov

Start the piece Aug to NovFeb 18–20

PMEA Solo & Small Ensemble Music Performance AssessmentPennsylvania Music Educators AssociationStart the piece Sep to Dec

Start the piece Sep to DecMar to May

Hershey Symphony Young Artist CompetitionHershey Symphony OrchestraStart the piece Sep to Dec

Start the piece Sep to DecMar 16

PMEA All-State EnsemblesPennsylvania Music Educators AssociationStart the piece Oct to Jan

Start the piece Oct to JanApr 14–17

Working on the event piece, 3 to 6 monthsEvent

What do auditions ask you to prepare?

Pennsylvania horn auditions ask for controlled fundamentals as well as prepared music. PMEA District 7 wind and brass scales are played in eighth notes at a minimum quarter-note tempo of 120, sometimes slurred and sometimes tongued; memorization is not required. Students use the district’s official repertoire list and announced solo edition, and the blind audition scores scales and solo separately. A horn player should also expect excerpts in some orchestra and youth-orchestra auditions. In weekly lessons, an event piece usually takes three to six months to prepare well, leaving time to build accuracy, tone, and confidence rather than cramming.

What else is there to enter?

Students who want a solo setting can consider PMTA’s Dorothy Sutton Performance Festival, scheduled each year in November; works written with accompaniment require a live accompanist, and students pay no state-festival fee. The PMEA Solo & Small Ensemble Music Performance Assessment serves K–12 students sponsored by a participating music teacher and usually takes place from March through May. For a regional solo competition, the Hershey Symphony Young Artist Competition serves grades 8–11 in specified south-central counties, with its final audition in March. These options suit students seeking performance experience beyond the main school ensemble route.

French horn events in Pennsylvania, 2026–27

PMEA All-State Ensembles

Pennsylvania Music Educators Association

When
April 14–17, 2027; audition windows run November 2026–February 2027
Entry
Ask the organizer
Who
Primarily grades 10–12; selection and eligibility depend on ensemble

PMEA Solo & Small Ensemble Music Performance Assessment

Pennsylvania Music Educators Association

When
Usually March–May 2027; event dates vary by district
Entry
Ask the organizer
Who
K–12 students, sponsored by a participating music teacher

PMEA District 7 Band, Chorus, Orchestra, Jazz, and Modern Band Festivals

PMEA District 7

When
January–April 2027
Entry
Ask the organizer
Who
School music students; eligibility and grades vary by festival

PMEA Region V Band Festival

Pennsylvania Music Educators Association

When
February 18–20, 2027
Entry
Ask the organizer
Who
High school students who advance from district auditions

Hershey Symphony Young Artist Competition

Hershey Symphony Orchestra

When
Final audition March 16, 2027
Entry
Ask the organizer
Who
Grades 8–11 during the 2026–27 school year

Pennsylvania State MTNA Performance Competitions

Pennsylvania Music Teachers Association

When
Usually early November each year
Entry
Ask the organizer
Who
Junior, senior, and young artist divisions; junior division is for school-age students

Homeschool and private school students

Homeschool students can pursue PMEA District 7 festivals, but the district requires them to participate in a school ensemble or a community-based equivalent and have sponsorship from an appropriate PMEA-member director. Private, parochial, charter, cyber, and cyber-charter students follow the same eligibility condition. For a horn player without access to a school ensemble, a community group can provide the playing experience needed to qualify, while private lessons support preparation for auditions and solo performance opportunities.

Starting at any age

Starting a child on French horn

A child can begin French horn when they can manage its size and make a steady, comfortable sound, often around fourth grade, when many Pennsylvania districts begin band. School band gives a young player a place to read and play with others, but private study helps establish breath support, a clear tone, and reliable pitch before rehearsals move quickly. In Philadelphia, Vare-Washington Elementary provides district-owned instruments, while Central Dauphin has a very limited number for students who otherwise could not participate. Lessons alongside band help a child build confidence without rushing the instrument.

A teen in Pennsylvania

A teen who is new to horn can begin privately and join school band at the entry point their district offers, then build toward auditions as reading and tone become secure. In PMEA District 7, band auditions are open in grades 7–12, but orchestra auditions for brass and the Region and All-State route are for grades 10–12. That age progression gives a high-school student time to strengthen fundamentals before aiming higher. Weekly lessons fit around rehearsals by focusing on the music and skills the student is working on that season.

Starting or coming back as an adult

Adults can build toward playing with others through the Tri-County New Horizons Band, which is open to adults across Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Community Orchestra in Philadelphia welcomes musicians and sound makers of all kinds without auditions, and the Pittsburgh Youth Concert Orchestra Adult Jazz Ensemble in Pittsburgh is open to players 18 and older without auditions. It is not too late to begin or return to the horn; weekly one-on-one lessons let a teacher meet you at your current level and help you work toward the kind of playing you want.

Finding the right teacher

What should a good French horn teacher do?

A strong horn teacher listens closely to tone, pitch, and breath, then chooses work that fits the student’s age and goal, whether that is a first band part, a PMEA audition, or playing again as an adult. Pennsylvania auditions reward secure scales and prepared solo work, so a teacher should know how to build those skills in steps without making every lesson feel like a tryout. Fit matters as much as training: a patient approach helps a cautious beginner, while a focused teen may want clear milestones. Every Lesson With You teacher holds at least a bachelor’s degree in horn; you can choose one yourself or ask us to recommend a fit.

How do live online French horn lessons work?

In a live Zoom horn lesson, your teacher hears tone, articulation, and pitch in real time and sees posture, breathing, and hand position through the camera. A quiet room, a music stand, and a camera angle that shows your face and instrument make it easier to respond to each other; the teacher can ask you to play a scale again or adjust a passage on the spot. You or your child in Philadelphia and a student in Franklin Park have the same choice of teachers and the same one-on-one weekly lesson. Online means no commute and access to the teacher who fits, not only whoever is closest.

What $35 a week gets you at Lesson With You

A teacher with a degree in hornEvery Lesson With You French horn teacher holds at least a bachelor's degree in horn.
Gray SmileyGrayDoctorate in French Horn
Meet the teachers below
The same teacher every weekLive, one-on-one lessons with one teacher who knows your goals.
Practice goals every weekEach lesson ends with what to practice before the next one.
Switch or pause anytimeSwitch teachers at no cost, or pause with 24 hours' notice. There's no term to sign up for.

French horn in Pennsylvania

Where to hear French horn

Pennsylvania offers several ways to hear orchestral music beyond Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. In Allentown, Pennsylvania Sinfonia Orchestra offers free admission to students 21 and under during its 2026–27 season. State College families can hear the Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra, with student tickets available for its season concerts and a free family concert on March 20, 2027. In Scranton, The University of Scranton’s Performance Music student musicians perform a public general recital with free admission.

Where to play with others

Horn players have options beyond school ensembles. Chester County Youth Orchestra in West Chester is seeking horn players ages 12–18 for 2026–27 auditions, while Pittsburgh Youth Concert Orchestra’s Adult Jazz Ensemble in Pittsburgh welcomes players 18 and older without an audition. For adults seeking a concert-band setting, Keystone Concert Band in Paxtang accepts French horn players who can perform at a high-school level and does not require an audition.

French horn around Pennsylvania, area by area

Philadelphia area

Philadelphia Youth Orchestra welcomes brass players ages 15–22, and qualified School District of Philadelphia All-City musicians can join PYO Music Institute ensembles tuition-free for the 2026–27 season. Students can also reserve $9 tickets to Curtis Symphony Orchestra concerts during the season. Together, these options give young horn players a path to orchestral playing and a way to hear the instrument in a full ensemble.

School year
Aug 24 to Jun 9, 40 lesson weeks (The School District of Philadelphia)

Pittsburgh area

Pittsburgh Youth Concert Orchestra’s Junior Wind Symphony serves brass, woodwind, and percussion players ages 11–14 through audition, while its Youth Jazz Ensemble serves ages 12–18 without audition. Eligible students can use PSO Go for up to two $15 Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra tickets per concert. A free public camp concert is scheduled in Wexford on July 2, 2027, adding a summer listening option.

School year
Aug 24 to Jun 8, 40 lesson weeks (Pittsburgh Public Schools)

Allentown area

Allentown’s 2027 Allentown Symphony Orchestra family concert is open to the public, with free tickets for everyone under 21 through the box office. Allentown’s Summer Concert Series brings free outdoor performances to West Park from May through September. These events give young horn players and their families accessible opportunities to hear live music in Allentown.

School year
Aug 24 to Jun 10, 40 lesson weeks (Allentown School District)

Harrisburg area

The Harrisburg Symphony Youth Orchestra rehearses in Camp Hill and serves grades 9–12; its ensembles require an audition. Harrisburg Symphony Masterworks offers last-minute student tickets for $10 with valid ID, and its free summer concert series gives families another listening option. The youth orchestra provides a local route for high school players interested in orchestral experience.

School year
Aug 26 to Jun 4, 40 lesson weeks (Harrisburg City School District)

Scranton area

In Wilkes-Barre, Sunsets on SOMA presents free concerts from 5 to 7 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month from May through September. Scranton offers another free listening opportunity through the University of Scranton’s public general recital, performed by student musicians. These events let a horn player hear live music without needing to join an ensemble first.

Reading area

Reading Symphony Youth Orchestra gives young horn players an audition-based ensemble option. For listening, students can attend a Reading Symphony Orchestra Classics Series concert free when a parent or guardian buys a full-price ticket. The combination lets a student work toward playing with an orchestra and hear orchestral music in Reading.

School year
Aug 24 to Jun 3, 39 lesson weeks (Reading School District)
Town guides
Reading, Wyomissing

York area

York Youth Symphony welcomes students from the York community and offers tuition assistance, making it a local youth ensemble option for a horn player. In summer, Springettsbury Township’s Sounds of Summer brings free concerts to York on Sunday and Wednesday evenings from June through August. Students can hear live music while building toward participation in a youth orchestra.

Erie area

Erie Junior Philharmonic offers an audition route for young horn players, with need-based assistance available. The Erie Philharmonic’s free outdoor Summer Concert Series brings performances around the region. Together, these options give students a chance to play in an ensemble and hear orchestral music in Erie.

Town guides
Erie

Frequently Asked Questions

Choose a teacher who can guide you or your child through sound, breath, and pitch while adapting to your age and goals. Lesson With You offers weekly one-on-one Zoom lessons with teachers who hold at least a bachelor’s degree in horn, and you can choose a teacher or ask for a recommendation.

Yes, a teacher can hear your tone and pitch and see your posture and hand position during a live lesson. Weekly Zoom lessons provide real-time feedback without a commute, and the first 30-minute lesson is free with no payment method needed.

Many Pennsylvania districts begin band in fourth grade, including Philadelphia at Vare-Washington Elementary, Bethel Park, and Upper Darby. Others start later; Reading School District’s middle school band includes sixth graders, so check the entry point in your district.

The school route starts with PMEA district auditions, then eligible high-school brass players can advance through Region to All-State ensembles. French horn students also have the MTNA Brass competition, where state winners or representatives advance to Eastern Division.

Yes, homeschool students can qualify for PMEA District 7 festivals if they participate in a school ensemble or community-based equivalent and receive sponsorship from an appropriate PMEA-member director. A community ensemble can provide the required playing experience.

Many children begin around fourth grade, when band starts in many Pennsylvania districts, but readiness depends on managing the instrument and making a comfortable sound. Private lessons can build those basics before or alongside school band.

No, adults can start or return to horn at any age, and Pennsylvania has community playing options for adults. A teacher can meet you at your current level and help you work toward a group such as the Keystone Concert Band in Paxtang.

French horn lessons in Pennsylvania typically cost about $69 an hour, or $32 to $50 for a half hour. Lesson With You charges per lesson with no term to sign up for, and the first lesson is free.