Arlene Shiplett

Arlene Shiplett is a Saskatchewan-based French horn player and teacher, originally from North Battleford and now living in Saskatoon.

She has taught horn and band in the Saskatoon area for over 20 years and has created an active local horn community. She conducts the Saskatoon Horn Choir and the Saskatoon Junior Horn Choir. The Saskatoon Horn choir was created in 2002 for her university students and it grew to include members of all the adult bands and orchestras in Saskatoon. Arlene’s current horn studio has over 35 students, both young people and adults. Many of her private students have gone on to study Music at the post-secondary level, or have continued to play for fun once they finish high school.

Arlene is also in demand as a horn clinician for provincial honour bands and school sectionals.  She has presented workshops at various Saskatchewan Music conferences and published articles for the Saskatchewan Band Association.

Arlene has received the Dwaine Nelson Teaching award for excellence in Applied Instruction in the University of Saskatchewan’s Department of Music, a Distinguished Service Award at the International Music Camp, and a YWCA Woman of Distinction Award.

As with all musicians, Arlene has many employers to keep her busy, including the University of Saskatchewan (Horn Instructor), the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra (Second Horn), the National Arts Centre (Music Alive Program), the Saskatoon Youth Orchestra (Brass Coach), the International Music Camp (Horn Instructor and member of International Brass Quintet), and Musicraft Instrument Repair.

Arlene performs regularly with the Gala Trio and the Prairie Winds Woodwind Quintet, and she is the Calliope Player for the Western Development Museum, which owns Canada’s only operational Steam Calliope.

Arlene is married to Lee Springett.  They have one spoiled cat, 8 horns, and a very cherished vintage Corvette.

Music Alive Program Options:

• Classical Composers (Possible Composers: Vivaldi, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, or R. Murray Schafer)
• Cross-Cultural Experiences (Possible Themes: Music & Nature, Family & Friends, or Listening & Creativity)