The Alphorn Podcast

We’re heading to the West Coast for this week’s episode! 🎙️🏔️

Sean sits down with Dr. Jonathon Stillman, a man whose expertise spans from the lecture hall to the Swiss Alps. Dr. Stillman is a Professor at San Francisco State University and U.C. Berkeley, but when he isn't teaching, he is a leading figure in the North American alphorn community.

A founding member of Alphorns San Francisco, Dr. Stillman also performs with Echo vom Birseck. Having lived in Switzerland for many years, he brings a wealth of authentic experience from competing and performing within the traditional Swiss Jodelerklubs.

Tune in to hear Dr. Stillman discuss his journey from Switzerland to the Bay Area and his dedication to preserving the traditional sounds of the alphorn.

 🔗https://www.alpensong.com/ Alphornssf.org 🔗 Alphornassociation.org

#TheAlphornProject #DrJonathonStillman #AlphornsSF #SFSU #UCBerkeley #Alphorn #PodcastFriday #AANA 

We want to thank our sponsors ANNA and Alpensong

We’re heading to the heart of Leavenworth this week as Sean chats with Janet Mano and Kevin Rieke.

Janet is a professional alphorn artist and the President of the Leavenworth Alphorns, while Kevin—a career entrepreneur and second-generation Leavenworth native—serves as an officer for the group. We dive into the rich culture of their community and what it takes to lead such a vibrant musical organization.

Speaking of leadership, the Leavenworth Alphorns were honored as AANA’s 2025 Organization of the Year! 🏆✨

Mark Your Calendars!📅

Don't miss the chance to see them in action at the Leavenworth Alphorn Festival, happening May 21-24, 2026.

🏔️ANNA https://www.alphornassociation.org/

🎼 Alpensong https://www.alpensong.com/

🏔️ Leavenworth Alphorns: https://leavenworthalphorns.org/

🎼 NW Alphorn Workshop: https://leavenworthalphorns.org/nw-alphorn-workshop

🪵 Local Craft: https://hatshopwoodshop.com/

#TheAlphornProject #LeavenworthAlphorns #LeavenworthWA #AlphornFestival #AANA #JanetMano #KevinRieke #GermanHeritage #MusicFestival #PodcastFriday

We want to thank our sponsors ANNA and Alpensong

Wait... is this thing on? 🎙️😅

We want to thank our sponsors ANNA and Alpensong

60+ Alphorns. Major Universities. One Mission. 🏔️🎶

This week on the podcast, we’re talking about The Alphorn Project, developed by the amazing Stasia Siena. We’re highlighting Sadie Glass’ incredible program at the University of the Pacific and how she’s breaking new ground with her brass students.

Curious how your school can get involved with the AANA? We’ve got all the details in the episode!

#thealphornproject

https://www.roosevelt.edu/profile/sforsythe

@stasiasiena

https://www.pacific.edu/campus-directory/sadie-glass

https://www.alphornassociation.org/

https://www.alpensong.com/

Stasia Forsythe | Roosevelt University

Roosevelt University

We want to thank our sponsors ANNA and Alpensong

Kate Axtell is a professional alphorn artist and one of the original members of AANA’s 2026 Organization of the Year, the Sierra Alphorn Players. In 2026, Kate established the Imagine Alphorns You Tube Chanel and the 30-Day Alphorn Challenge. Kate’s alphorn journey is remarkable. She tells the inspirational story of how the alphorn saved her father’s life and set her on her own incredible path.

https://youtube.com/@thelongesthorn-alps
http://sierrahorns.org

#thealphornproject

https://www.alphornassociation.org
https://www.alpensong.com

Imagine Alphorns

“Imagine Alphorns” is a Swiss Alphorn lifestyle channel. I discovered the alphorn during Covid. I made new friends and came to rehearsals every week at the foot of the Sierra mountain range, su...

We want to thank our sponsors ANNA and Alpensong

Daniel Fuertges is President of the Peoria Harmonie-Concordia, Music Club. Harmonie is the largest organization within the German American Central Society. The club traces its roots back to 1850. Daniel is also the Founder of the Peoria Mid-Winter Alphorn Workshop, the Manager and a performer of the Lindenhof Echoes, and the Manager and a performer of Al’s Pals Polka Band.

The 2027 Peoria Mid-Winter Alphorn Workshop will be held 18-22 February. Dr. Natalie Grana will lead the event.

Daniel Fuertges’ e-mail: [email protected]

https://www.facebook.com/groups/9480169842007158

https://www.peoriagermans.net/

https://www.alphornassociation.org/

https://www.alpensong.com/

Facebook

See posts, photos and more on Facebook.

We want to thank our sponsors ANNA and Alpensong

Stasia Forsythe Siena is a leading subject matter expert in the Alexander Technique (AT), a method used by thousands of artists and athletes worldwide to enhance performance, prevent injury, and improve overall coordination. She is also a classically trained opera singer, author, and alphorn artist. She is the architect of the #AlphornProject.

https://www.roosevelt.edu/profile/sforsythe

https://horncamp.org/faculty/stasia-siena/https://

www.alphornassociation.org/atandthealphorn@stasiasiena

https://www.alphornassociation.org/

https://www.alpensong.com/

Note: Sean and Stasia incorrectly refer to the Indiana University Arnold Jacobs School of Music. In fact, the school was named the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music following a donation from Barbara B. and David H. Jacobs. Arnold Jacobs had no affiliation with the Jacobs School of Music. https://music.indiana.edu

We want to thank our sponsors ANNA and Alpensong

Brandi and Lindsey Jones are global alphorn thought leaders. They have manufactured over 200 alphorns in their shop located in Carson City Nevada. They have also written hundreds of alphorn pieces which are being performed all over the world. Their group, the Sierra Alphorn Players have recently been awarded the Alphorn Association of North America's 2026 Organization of the Year. 

Silverandbrassmusic.com

[email protected]

http://sierrahorns.org

#alphornjones

https://www.alphornassociation.org

https://www.alpensong.com

#thealphornproject

We want to thank our sponsors ANNA and Alpensong

Sean, Robert and Sonja discuss the newly formed AANA which stands for the Alphorn Association Of North America.  They discuss it's origins and the plans for the future.

If you are interested in getting involved with AANA, please reach out to [email protected].

Alpensong.com

Alphorninstitue.com

AANA Webstie Coming Soon!

For information about the Tahoe Alphorn Seminar and to register, click here. 

We want to thank our sponsors ANNA and Alpensong

Sean, Robert and Sonja Reynolds meet with Peggy DeMers.  They discuss Peggys most recent accomplishment of her English translation of the A. L. Gassmann’s s’Alphornbüechli, Blast mir das Alphorn noch einmal!  Commonly known as the bible of the alphorn. 

Links mentioned in the episode. 

The Little Alphorn Book

Peggy Demers

We want to thank our sponsors ANNA and Alpensong