Elliott Lloyd Higgins

HIGGINS, ELLIOTT LLOYD Elliott Lloyd Higgins passed away September 23rd. He was born in Albuquerque, NM March 13th, 1941. He is survived by his daughter, Amber May, her husband Alex Waggener, their first child expected in November, and Amber’s mother, Elissa Higgins, his mother, Wanda Mae Higgins (94), his siblings Susie and husband Frank DeCarlo, Leslie Higgins and wife Cindy, Sally and husband Harry Chapman, Teena and husband Jerry King, many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Lloyd (K.L.) Higgins. He received his bachelor’s degree from UNM, though he began his musical career at the age of 14 in the horn section of the Albuquerque Symphony. His passion for music continued to grow as he helped his family establish Hummingbird Music Camp in 1959. He went on to play horn in the Ventura, Santa Barbara, Birmingham, and Cleveland Symphony Orchestras and many more. He also performed for 4 years in the Santa Fe Opera. Recently, he founded and thoroughly enjoyed playing in the New Mexico Brass Trio. An accomplished conductor, he directed the Cleveland Opera, the International Horn Concert in Avignon, France, and the Albuquerque Philharmonic Orchestra. A dedicated and creative music teacher, he continued to educate horn students until his passing. He lectured extensively on playing and teaching the horn, most recently at the 2014 International Horn Symposium in London. He founded the Heldenleben Horn Competition in 1976 which grew in renown and eventually became the International Horn Competition. Elliott was the Director Emeritus until his passing. Returning to New Mexico in 1978, he devoted his energy to Hummingbird Camp, starting Hummingbird Chess Camp in 1979 and Hornswoggle in 1980. He was a director of Hummingbird Music Camp, teaching students, organizing teachers, and announcing the Sunday Concert until his death. He found great joy in playing international chess, composing music, writing and reading poetry. He was also an avid naturalist, animal lover, mushroom hunter and consultant for poison control. He treasured the many dogs he owned throughout his life. Though he was a man of many passions and accomplishments, his daughter, Amber, was the love of his life. He was a devoted and magnificent father and never missed an opportunity to communicate how proud he was of her. He taught Amber to love so much about the world and he always encouraged and supported her dreams. He was looking forward to meeting his first grandchild. Memorial services will be held Sunday, October 12, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. at Hummingbird Music Camp. Please honor the life of Elliott Higgins with donations to the Hummingbird Music, Chess Camp Scholarship Fund, The International Horn Competition of America, or The Albuquerque Youth Symphony. FRENCH - University 1111 University Blvd NE 505-843-6333

Elliott Lloyd Higgins

March 13, 1941 - September 23, 2014