Flagship Program
High Range Magic

High Range Magic

A comprehensive 12-week program for adult horn players ready to add a full octave of comfortable, confident range. Less tension. Less mouthpiece pressure. A system you keep for life.

Mars talks through the program & curriculum

What players report

Added Octave

of comfortable, confident range - usually within the first 12 weeks

Less Tension

reduced mouthpiece pressure and embouchure strain from week one

Endurance

playing longer with less fatigue and higher quality

"Most players who join HRM are struggling above the staff. Within 12 weeks, the average graduate adds a full octave of comfortable range they can actually use in music."

Meaningful results

What graduates say about the program

"I'm playing more easily. I don't get as tired as quickly. Even after a heavy day of playing, the next day I can get back right on. I can just play like it's another day."

Y

Young Kim

International Freelancer

I played the end of Concertstuck and the entire scale up to E6 — not just once, but multiple times!

Mollie Pate

Louisiana Philharmonic

My high range is no longer konzertSTUCK! There is no way I could have safely attempted the first horn part before HRM. To have recorded proof of myself playing one of the most epic moments is surreal.

Sebastian Dunn

NZ Symphony Orchestra

High C was generally my ceiling. Thanks to HRM, miraculously I can climb those stairs and push that ceiling higher and higher.

Christopher Gough

Principal Horn, BBC Scottish Symphony

Going into HRM I was a scared and timid player. Now I have relaxed, confident control over 5 octaves. HRM completely changed the way I approach the horn.

Justin Phillips

HRM Graduate

I increased my range by at least 1 octave, playing easily up to high G above high C. I have so much more confidence and ability. It feels so good to hear my improvements.

Debbie Lowes

HRM Graduate

My first concert since joining HRM and I haven't felt so comfortable in many years. The high notes were not stressful and I got to the last page with plenty of fuel in the tank. At 67 years of age!

Mervyn Stephens

HRM Graduate

The founder of my brass quintet said, 'Man, Jack, you sound great. Where are you auditioning?' I hadn't yet told him I was.

Jack Levoska

HRM Graduate

This method has changed my mind-set and my life. My increase in range, endurance and confidence has put me in a position where I am in demand more than ever.

Alan Pefley

HRM Graduate

I am so glad I took the plunge — this is the horn player I was always meant to be!

Marian

HRM Graduate

The day I nailed the double high C squeak and didn't even know it. I learned that I am an amazing high horn player. The sky is the limit — just go for it!

Ellen Klein

HRM Graduate

I can play a high F above high C without even setting or thinking about it. The high range has no limits, and I can partake in the high range party anytime I choose.

Mat Boatright

HRM Graduate

I played high notes I didn't think were even possible on the horn. I can play a double high C. I found a renewed sense of joy and drive in my music-making.

Ryan Wezner

HRM Graduate

I played the end of Concertstuck and the entire scale up to E6 — not just once, but multiple times!

Mollie Pate

Louisiana Philharmonic

My high range is no longer konzertSTUCK! There is no way I could have safely attempted the first horn part before HRM. To have recorded proof of myself playing one of the most epic moments is surreal.

Sebastian Dunn

NZ Symphony Orchestra

High C was generally my ceiling. Thanks to HRM, miraculously I can climb those stairs and push that ceiling higher and higher.

Christopher Gough

Principal Horn, BBC Scottish Symphony

Going into HRM I was a scared and timid player. Now I have relaxed, confident control over 5 octaves. HRM completely changed the way I approach the horn.

Justin Phillips

HRM Graduate

I increased my range by at least 1 octave, playing easily up to high G above high C. I have so much more confidence and ability. It feels so good to hear my improvements.

Debbie Lowes

HRM Graduate

My first concert since joining HRM and I haven't felt so comfortable in many years. The high notes were not stressful and I got to the last page with plenty of fuel in the tank. At 67 years of age!

Mervyn Stephens

HRM Graduate

The founder of my brass quintet said, 'Man, Jack, you sound great. Where are you auditioning?' I hadn't yet told him I was.

Jack Levoska

HRM Graduate

This method has changed my mind-set and my life. My increase in range, endurance and confidence has put me in a position where I am in demand more than ever.

Alan Pefley

HRM Graduate

I am so glad I took the plunge — this is the horn player I was always meant to be!

Marian

HRM Graduate

The day I nailed the double high C squeak and didn't even know it. I learned that I am an amazing high horn player. The sky is the limit — just go for it!

Ellen Klein

HRM Graduate

I can play a high F above high C without even setting or thinking about it. The high range has no limits, and I can partake in the high range party anytime I choose.

Mat Boatright

HRM Graduate

I played high notes I didn't think were even possible on the horn. I can play a double high C. I found a renewed sense of joy and drive in my music-making.

Ryan Wezner

HRM Graduate

Read letters our graduates have written →

Notable Alumni

Mollie Pate

Mollie Pate

Mollie Pate

Louisiana Philharmonic

Jonathan Barrett

Jonathan Barrett

Jonathan Barrett

BBC Philharmonic

Sebastian Dunn

Sebastian Dunn

Sebastian Dunn

NZ Symphony Orchestra

Beth Graham

Beth Graham

Beth Graham

Baltimore Symphony

Lisa Bergman

Lisa Bergman

Lisa Bergman

Baltimore Symphony

Chris Gough

Chris Gough

Chris Gough

Principal Horn, BBC Scottish Symphony

Lee Wadenpfuhl

Lee Wadenpfuhl

Lee Wadenpfuhl

Sydney Opera

Young Kim

Young Kim

Young Kim

International Freelancer

Braydon Ross

Braydon Ross

Braydon Ross

1st Prize, IHC of America

John Little

John Little

John Little

Award-Winning Soloist

John Schreckengost

John Schreckengost

John Schreckengost

Chicago Sinfonietta

Madeleine Folkerts

Madeleine Folkerts

Madeleine Folkerts

Principal Horn, Great Falls Symphony

Jon Anderson

Jon Anderson

Jon Anderson

4th Horn, Tucson Symphony

Jeff Nelsen

Jeff Nelsen

Jeff Nelsen

Canadian Brass

Peter Del Grosso

Peter Del Grosso

Peter Del Grosso

Metropolitan Horn Authority

Rusty Holmes

Rusty Holmes

Rusty Holmes

Apply to join them.

Free evaluation call

Start with a conversation.

Every Holistic Horn Academy journey starts with a free, one-on-one evaluation call with a mentor. We hear where you are and where you want to go.

It may just change your life.

Regardless of whether you join, you'll get:

A roadmap for your personal goals
A 3-point embouchure assessment
Brass Anatomy 101 videoFree to keep

An honest conversation. No pressure or sales tactics.

CURRENTLY CONDUCTING EVALUATION CALLS

Mars Gelfo

Mars Gelfo

Founder, High Range Magic

Jon Anderson

Jon Anderson

HRM Teaching Faculty since 2024

“Whether you end up joining or not, you walk away with real tools and a clear picture of what is possible for your range.”

The curriculum

12 weeks. One complete system.

Module 1 — Preparation

Essential principles of superlearning, personal transformation, brass anatomy, and practice habits.

Module 2 — Relax Into Range

Body-mind relaxation, emotional expression, and specific facial movements will begin to unlock new range. Horn practice becomes more pleasurable, healthy, and authentic.

Module 3 — Coordination

Coordinate tongue, lips, air, and mindful intention to produce your first extraordinarily easy high and low notes.

Module 4 — Stabilize Expansion

Get used to playing a 4th or 5th higher than usual, while crafting a positive affirmation of who you're becoming.

Module 5 — Convergence

Smoothly link your new extreme high and low ranges with the mid-register. Learn to channel complex emotions and ideas through the horn.

Module 6 — Mini-Capstone

How to develop trust in your chops to produce music in the high range, without thinking about mechanics.

Module 7 — Flexibility & Mouthpiece Pressure

Practices and principles to ensure optimal mouthpiece pressure on every note, plus keys to 4+ octave flexibilities.

Module 8 — Ascent

Safely find your absolute highest notes (current record: 2 octaves above high C). Update your identity and beliefs about horn playing.

Module 9 — Master RoM

Progressive practices that fluidly connect your highest and lowest notes, so you never worry about flexibility again.

Module 10 — Prioritize & Plan

Plan how you'll use your new skills and take new playing opportunities. Evaluate your strengths and remaining weaknesses.

Module 11 — Capstone

Polish and record a final piece of music that says "I am now a master high range magician!"

Module 12 — Sustain Magicianship

Create your own practice plans and "magic reminders" so you can keep building and maintaining your range in as little as 3 minutes per day.

Additional Materials

·40-minute practice session demo
·How to deal with perfectionism
·The "sigh" progression that unlocks stubborn corner tension

Questions about the curriculum?

Apply for your free evaluation call and we will walk through it together. It may not be a fit. But it may also change your life.

Apply for a Free Consultation

Free. One conversation. Real tools, whatever you decide.