Michael (Mike) Horowitz Bass Flute.

Hi, I’m Michael (Mike) Horowitz, bass flute. I was raised in Biloxi, MS, where my dad

worked as an instructor at Keesler Air Force Base. Before I can remember, dad brought home several hundred classical 78 RPM records from someone leaving the Base, so I’ve been exposed to classical music all my life. Mom had me taking piano lessons around the third grade. Those lasted until we introduce the left hand with “Teaching Little Fingers to Play”. Followed was a period of recorder lessons. After I broke the recorder over someone’s head, those lessons ended. Somewhere around the fourth grade dad found Mr. Teal, a flutist who was willing to come to the house and teach for a dollar per lesson. A very patient man who was my teacher into high school. I remember my first public appearance; I think it was in the fifth grade when I graced my public school playing “On Wings of Song” with my mom on piano. I remember having to stop in the middle and restart. An auspicious beginning. Fluted through high school with band camps and state competitions, followed by an MBA at Mississippi State University. A short stint with the Army and I settled down with Michelle and the Department of Defense. Followed was a son (David) and then twin grandsons (Sam and Ben). There was a period where I wasn’t playing, but I remember hearing a flute on the radio playing something by Bach and wondering if I could still do that. That inspired me to start private lessons again, which continue on and off. I’ve been enjoying playing with community groups including community bands. For a time I played in the Prince George’s Community Orchestra, The Falls Church Community Band, and then with the Loudon Symphony Orchestra . I’m currently playing with the Reston Community Orchestra, and of course the Woodbridge Flute Choir. I’m also playing oboe in a start-up (Northern Virginia Community Orchestra). I volunteer with the Fairfax Main Street Band Honor Flights, which plays welcoming music for arriving veterans visiting the District.

I flit from one interest to another, learn about it and move to the next. 

Here’s a partial list:

Aviation (CML,Instr,Tailwheel), Beekeeping, Scouting (WB), Flyfishing, Amateur Radio. I am a Docent at the Smithsonian’s Udvar-Hazy Museum. My current passion is making oboe reeds.