Hornist and French horn designer and builder. Born to British parents, Frank B. and Alice E. Allen Lawson, he studied both piano and horn as a child. He served in World War II in the South Pacific with the 3180th Signal Corps, the US Army Military Police, and was a teletype mechanic for the Associated Press. He was awarded the American Service Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. After the war he earned a teaching certificate in horn from Peabody Institute. He was the second horn with the Baltimore Symphony for 26 years. He returned to Peabody as an instructor of horn for several years in the 1970s. In addition to teaching and performing, he was also interested in instrument repair and design, and opened his own shop in 1956. He created custom parts, including mouth pieces, lead pipes, and flares. After an injury stopped his performance career, he concentrated on designing and building horns, using input from many professional players. He formed Lawson Brass Instruments with his sons in 1980, which he ran until his retirement in 2006. He was well-known and respected among horn players both for his knowledge and research and for his warmth and creativity. His horns and equipment are found in orchestras all over the world. He is survived by his wife, 3 sons, and their families.
Hornist and French horn designer and builder. Born to British parents, Frank B. and Alice E. Allen Lawson, he studied both piano and horn as a child. He served in World War II in the South Pacific with the 3180th Signal Corps, the US Army Military Police, and was a teletype mechanic for the Associated Press. He was awarded the American Service Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. After the war he earned a teaching certificate in horn from Peabody Institute. He was the second horn with the Baltimore Symphony for 26 years. He returned to Peabody as an instructor of horn for several years in the 1970s. In addition to teaching and performing, he was also interested in instrument repair and design, and opened his own shop in 1956. He created custom parts, including mouth pieces, lead pipes, and flares. After an injury stopped his performance career, he concentrated on designing and building horns, using input from many professional players. He formed Lawson Brass Instruments with his sons in 1980, which he ran until his retirement in 2006. He was well-known and respected among horn players both for his knowledge and research and for his warmth and creativity. His horns and equipment are found in orchestras all over the world. He is survived by his wife, 3 sons, and their families.
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