America’s horns denounce a dead rapist
OrchestrasTwo days ago we reported that a leader of the US horn community, Elliott Higgins, has been implicated in two rapes. Higgins died in 2014.
Today, the International Horn Competition of America (which Higgins founded) issued this statement:
Everyone within the organizational structure of the International Horn Competition of America, currently or historically, was shocked by the news detailing the crimes of Elliott Higgins. No one in the organization, currently or historically, had any information (suggested, factual, or otherwise) that would have led to recognition of Elliott Higgins’ ongoing criminal activity. Detailed evidence, gathered by multiple law enforcement agencies supports the fact that Higgins’ heinous crimes had no direct association of any kind with the IHCA and its sponsored events, other than connections of geography and timing. The abhorrent atrocities committed by Elliott Higgins were the independent acts of a sick and deviant individual.
No one associated with the International Horn Competition of America, currently or historically, shares any direct association with Elliott Higgins. Although one member of the current organizational staff shares the last name Higgins, there is no direct or tangential relationship of any kind, nor has there been. This is a random coincidence.
Everyone associated with the IHCA strongly condemns Higgins’ crimes, and deeply regrets that he had any historical association with the organization. But the actions of a single deviant individual should not change or color the tremendous benefit that has come from a long series of IHCA events held over many decades that have served the international horn community in many positive ways.
Here’s what the IHCA wrote when he died:
Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Elliott Higgins attended local schools and graduated from the University of New Mexico. His passion for music came naturally, as eldest child of eminent music educator Kenneth Lloyd Higgins. With wife Wanda, he established the Hummingbird Music Camp in 1959. The camp continues under family ownership, and it is where Elliott finished his career.
Elliott’s first orchestra position was as hornist in the Albuquerque Symphony. Following his tenure with the orchestra, his employment combined horn playing with his other skills and abilities. In the early 1960s, Elliott was manager and Principal Horn of the Santa Barbara, California Symphony. His aptitude in business also led to an executive appointment with the Fort Wayne, Indiana Philharmonic. In the 1970s, he was a free-lance hornist in the Cleveland area, and conducted the Opus One Chamber Orchestra.
In 1975 Elliott Higgins and George McCracken (horn designer for King Musical Instruments) attended the International Horn Society symposium near Montreal. They observed a distinct contrast in quality between American and European soloists, which led them to begin the solo competition described in this article. Higgins managed horn competitions from Cleveland through 1980, and then his new home in New Mexico. In 1981 McCracken ceased his involvement.
In 1985, Elliott Higgins asked Steven Gross, winner of the first Competition, to take it over. Elliott remained as Director Emeritus. Since that time, the Competition has continued to grow in stature and visibility. An Internet search manifests dozens of well-known and important hornists whose careers were significantly enhanced by the event. Elliott Higgins will be long remembered for his vision and foresight in establishing a prominent and influential solo horn competition.
The Alabama police investigation remains open.
I have no idea how I could have gone on about my day without knowing where a horn association stands on the subject of rape. Now that they say they are firmly against it, I can breathe a sigh of relief.
There response reads like it was composed by their lawyer.
Funny thing about lawyers… they don’t have to be honest outside of court.
How could no one “historically” have had any association with him if he founded it and ran it for all those years?