NMSU Horn Professor, Nancy Joy, was honored by the International Horn Society with the Service Medal of Honor (Courtesy Photo)

New Mexico State University horn professor Nancy Joy recently received the International Horn Society Service Medal of Honor. It is one of the top three awards the society gives to recognize its members. Joy was honored at the organization’s July symposium in Ghent, Belgium.

“Since I have been a behind the scenes type of person at all of these symposiums, I was absolutely shocked when the Advisory Council bestowed this honor on me,” Joy said.

This medal is for individuals who have made major contributions in service to the society over time. “Nancy was specifically honored for her many years as the International Workshop Coordinator for the society,” said IHS President Andrew Pelletier, “It is a position that sees her in communication and collaboration with horn teachers and music schools across the globe as they prepare to host an IHS Symposium.”

The organization was started in 1970 and although Joy has been a member since 1977, she attended her first symposium in 1980. “Being part of the horn family changed my life for the better,” Joy said.

Her goals have always included, “making sure that first time IHS symposium participants had the same incredible life changing experiences as I did in 1980.”