Michael Hettwer is an Oregon native committed to both teaching and performing. He is a freelance horn player in the Pacific Northwest for over 35 years. He is principal horn with the Portland Opera Orchestra and third horn with the Oregon Ballet Theatre Orchestra. He also frequently plays with he Oregon Symphony and Eugene Symphony orchestras.
Michael serves as orchestra manager for Portland Opera and is the orchestra contractor for Portland's Best of Broadway series, Orpheus PDX, and numerous traveling shows. He is professor of horn at Willamette, Linfield, and Pacific Universities.
Michael is in demand in the Portland area as a freelance commercial horn player as well as an active symphonic and chamber musician. His performances can be heard on several commercials and soundtracks and he has had the pleasure to perform with such acts as Weird Al Yankovic, Moody Blues, Mannheim Steamroller, Johnny Mathis, Andrea Bocelli, to name a few. His symphonic and chamber engagements include performances with the Eugene Symphony and the Oregon Symphony as well as several northwest brass ensembles, chamber orchestras, and festivals.
From 1984-2001, Michael served in the Oregon Army National Guard with the 234th Army Band in Portland, Oregon, providing musical support for Oregon troops and entertainment for many Oregonians. While in the band, Michael performed with the full concert band, jazz band as well as smaller Music Performance Teams (MPTs).
Michael earned his B.M. in French Horn Performance and his M.A.T. from Willamette University. He is a member of the International Horn Society (IHS), National Association for Music Education (NAfME), Oregon Music Education Association (OMEA), and American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Local 99.
Michael has recently retired after 30 years teaching music in public schools. He lives in Salem with his wife Kami, a music educator for Santiam Christian Schools, executive director for the Salem Youth Symphony, and collaborative pianist. Together they have three adult children who are all active professional musicians, Matthew, Joshua, and Jenessa.
Michael serves as orchestra manager for Portland Opera and is the orchestra contractor for Portland's Best of Broadway series, Orpheus PDX, and numerous traveling shows. He is professor of horn at Willamette, Linfield, and Pacific Universities.
Michael is in demand in the Portland area as a freelance commercial horn player as well as an active symphonic and chamber musician. His performances can be heard on several commercials and soundtracks and he has had the pleasure to perform with such acts as Weird Al Yankovic, Moody Blues, Mannheim Steamroller, Johnny Mathis, Andrea Bocelli, to name a few. His symphonic and chamber engagements include performances with the Eugene Symphony and the Oregon Symphony as well as several northwest brass ensembles, chamber orchestras, and festivals.
From 1984-2001, Michael served in the Oregon Army National Guard with the 234th Army Band in Portland, Oregon, providing musical support for Oregon troops and entertainment for many Oregonians. While in the band, Michael performed with the full concert band, jazz band as well as smaller Music Performance Teams (MPTs).
Michael earned his B.M. in French Horn Performance and his M.A.T. from Willamette University. He is a member of the International Horn Society (IHS), National Association for Music Education (NAfME), Oregon Music Education Association (OMEA), and American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Local 99.
Michael has recently retired after 30 years teaching music in public schools. He lives in Salem with his wife Kami, a music educator for Santiam Christian Schools, executive director for the Salem Youth Symphony, and collaborative pianist. Together they have three adult children who are all active professional musicians, Matthew, Joshua, and Jenessa.